Voter apathy: Citizen Clegg pledges 'power to the people' in port visit

Only 45.7 per cent of those eligible to vote did so in Hull West and Hessle in last month's General Election, making it the lowest in the country and one of only six British constituencies with turnout below 50 per cent.

The average turnout across the three Hull seats was 49.3 per cent, compared to a UK average of 65.3 per cent, England's average of 65.6 per cent, and an average of 63.2 per cent in Yorkshire and the Humber.

The exercise did, however, put the Liberal Democrat leader at odds with the Liberal Democrat-run Hull Council, which insisted the Hull West turnout was much higher, at 55.1 per cent.

Mr Clegg's fact-finding mission took him to Hull's Trinity Market, where his first port of call was Chak and Sue's fruit and veg stall, a family business that has been run by Dennis and Linda Thornham for 30 years. Mr Thornham said he thought the main reason people had disengaged from politics was the lack of jobs in the city.

He said: "Probably high unemployment is the main reason. We've had false promises from local government for years. It's the apathy of Hull; people just aren't bothered.

"The Labour Government for 13 years caused so many problems for Hull. Hull had a big fishing industry and boat-building and it's all gone now."

Sicilian-born David Romano proved an interesting case study at his Italian bakery stall. He has dual citizenship, votes in both countries, and said he preferred his native system, because Italian politicians were more "open", although discussion of the finer points of the comparison was hampered by the language barrier.

Steve Mathie, who runs a second-hand record shop in the market, said politicians seemed less visible in the community than they had in the past, and recalled candidates canvassing for votes with loudhailers while being driven through the streets in the 1970s.

Mr Clegg said he wanted to empower voters and make politicians more accountable.

He said: "A lot of people feel very cut off from politics and politicians and feel they only come knocking on the door at election time and that it doesn't make a difference who's in power. Unemployment and difficulties in the economy make people feel helpless.

"That's why we need to give people the right to sack MPs if they are shown to be corrupt, clean up party funding and give the right to elect people to the House of Lords."