GINA EASTMAN isn't bothered about the election. She says it will make little difference to her life and she would much rather be left alone.
Her friend, Leonie, stands nearby and laughs a little but says although she has not made up her mind, she will vote on May 1st.
Gina explains her indifference towards the election: "I voted five years ago and it didn't make no difference. I say just leave them to it. My one vote isn't gonna make no difference."
Of course Gina is not the only young black woman in the Lewisham East, south London, who prefers to stand outside the political process.
Indeed, there are so many like her that Labour's candidate in the constituency, Bridget Prentice, has lent her support to "operation black vote", a scheme designed to encourage the black community to use their vote.
On Lewisham High Street, interest in the election is mixed. One black woman in her early 30s says she used to vote Conservative, but not any more: "I just want a change, see what the rest of them can do."
Outside the market, three black men all say they will not be voting: "What's the point? Nothing's ever any different."
While inside Lewisham's slightly tatty shopping centre, Marie Joseph insists she doesn't have a political mind: "There's so much of it on television and when you turn on the radio, it puts me off. I've always voted Labour, but there are still very few jobs out there for people without good qualifications."
Lewisham East is one of the most important constituencies in Britain where the ethnic minority vote can swing the result.
Labour holds the seat, but has only a 1,123 majority. The seat is 18th on the Tories target list of must-win constituencies.
And although 14 per cent of the population is black, large numbers of the black community are simply not interested in an election which they feel will make little to their lives.
In a leafier suburb of Lewisham, the Conservative candidate, Phillip Hollobone, is sure that "operation black vote" is a waste of time.
"There should be an `operation people's vote'," he says.
But wouldn't it be helpful to encourage more black people to get involved, especially in a marginal seat?
"Many of the black people I've spoken to have said they find it patronising."
Borrowing a line from Lab our, Hollobone says the aim of the campaign is focus, focus and focus: "We target floating voters or those who have voted Conservative before. Otherwise it's a waste of my time and their time."
Around the corner, Mrs Judith Clarke says after 18 years of the Tories taking black people for granted, "it's about time they left. Operation black vote is a great idea - I'm glad someone is taking notice of us".
Mrs Clarke's neighbour agrees, in part: "Maybe my son will vote now. Although it won't make much difference, things will stay as bad as ever.