Tom Palmer: City's hole in the ground unearths a bleak prospect

As the General Election approaches, Westfield is now being used as a sign that politicians do not care and that there's little prospect of Bradford competing with neighbouring Leeds.

Trader Katrina Mathers has worked at Ainsworths market stall selling women's nightwear for 29 years.

She remembers a vibrant city on the up and when those wanting a market stall would have to get on a waiting list. Now, as recession-hit punters scour the few remaining stalls hunting for a bargain, it appears the only excitement likely to be generated will be from the lacy offerings on Mrs Mathers' stall.

"People feel the same – there's nothing here, the businesses feel they have no support, the traders are drying up – when I started they were queuing to try and get these stalls, now half are boarded up," she said.

Though Bradford will, once again, return three MPs, the rejigged constituencies mean two Labour-held seats have become more marginal, with Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe expected to be returned in Bradford South.

The extensive boundary changes mean that Bradford North disappears, and becomes part of a new seat of Bradford East. The incumbent is Terry Rooney, but the Liberal Democrats say the seat is their top Yorkshire target.

Candidate David Ward, a local councillor for 26 years, believes

Bradford needs a "champion" who will make a lot of noise in Westminster.

"What this area needs is a real campaigning MP, someone high profile who is going to speak out for the city and who knows the community well," he said.

The problem facing Mr Ward is the public's disrespect for politicians per se.

However, Mr Rooney says the doorstep reaction has been positive and apathy is not an issue.

"The issues are the same now as they were in 1990 – jobs, regeneration, education, housing," he said.

Bradford West stretches from the city centre and the student population of Bradford University, through the deprived areas of Toller and Manningham which were the sites of rioting in 1995 and 2001.

The population is largely Pakistani and is now a Conservative target.

Candidate Zahid Iqbal blames the expenses and lobbying scandals for the malaise in Bradford.

"We have to change that perception and restore confidence," he said.

Marsha Singh won the seat in 1997 and defended Labour's record, stating that millions had been invested and promised an additional 69m would

be pumped into various city projects

this year.

He blamed the Tory and Lib Dem coalition running Bradford Council for the problems at Westfield.

He said: "Bradford can grow again but you need a political party, the Labour Party, which cares about the poor and puts its money where its mouth is."

The prevailing mood was probably best summed up by John Simmons as he supped a pint of ale.

The 71-year-old has voted all his life. When asked what his plans were for the General Election, he said: "I could vote, but if I'm going to waste my time, I'd much rather do it in here."

Bradford West

Current MP: Marsha Singh, Labour

Majority: 2005 Notional Labour majority of 3,050

Last election: Swing 1.3%, Labour to Conservative

Confirmed Candidates:

Conservative – Zahid Iqbal

Labour – Marsha Singh

Bradford East

Current MP: Terry Rooney, Labour

Notional majority: 5,227

Last election: Swing 9.8%, Labour to Lib Dem

Confirmed Candidates:

Conservative – Mohammed Riaz

Labour – Terry Rooney

Lib Dem – David Ward