Exclusive: Clarke: 'Voters turned off politics'

Joining the campaign for Tory votes in vital West Yorkshire marginal seats, he also warned of a "disaster" if there is a hung parliament – suggesting there could be a fresh financial crisis, though he is still not convinced the recession is over – and insisting it could be "dangerous" to vote Liberal Democrat.

The colourful former Chancellor accused fellow politicians of "dumbing down" politics so much with "silly" campaigning techniques, slogans and razzmatazz that it is "impossible" to get voters enthusiastic about the prospect of change – and complained it has all become too "presidential", focused on the personalities of the party leaders.

In a candid interview Mr Clarke, who ran three unsuccessful bids to become Tory leader, said the extent of public disillusionment made it different from any of the other elections he has fought but insisted he was still confident David Cameron would win a majority and said he was "more laid back than any of my colleagues" about the outcome.

"The atmosphere is different from any election I've known before because of the doubts and uncertainties and disillusion at the general public," he told the Yorkshire Post. "They're cynical and suspicious of politicians.

"It's impossible to get them very enthusiastic about any potential change which is the effect mainly probably of the expenses scandal but also I think of a mounting cynicism about politics over recent years.

"I think the Press are unduly cynical and I think generally politicians have dumbed down politics by adopting too many silly campaigning techniques. The combination rather worries me. The public I think are going to vote for us but I don't like the way they're switched off their democratic institutions."

Although Mr Cameron has sought to inject optimism into the campaign with his idea for a Big Society and manifesto inviting people to join the Government of Britain – also urging voters on Thursday night during the televised leaders' debate to choose "hope over fear" – Mr Clarke's comments acknowledge that if he is successful his arrival in Downing Street is unlikely to be met with the same scenes of exuberance as when Tony Blair won in 1997.

He was not surprised Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg fared well given the third party usually struggles for media attention.

If the debate proves to have a significant impact – and initial polls suggested it had boosted Lib Dem support – it makes the possibility of a hung parliament more likely and his warning about the impact of that is stark, describing it as a "disaster" for the country.

"Nick's a perfectly good performer on his day," said Mr Clarke. "If he did well, it may still not help him very much in getting people persuaded that a Liberal vote isn't a wasted vote or a dangerous vote.

"The problem for Nick and all the Liberals is they haven't a clue which party they would support in office. They don't even agree among each other which party they would support in office.

"Having a hung parliament and a weak minority government or a period of uncertainty, you're running the risk of another financial crisis."