If I was in charge: Bakewell

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If I was in charge... The view from Bakewell Cattle Market

With the local elections in England on Thursday, how much attention are people giving to issues in their area? Or are MPs' expenses dominating not only the headlines, but also the way people are thinking and voting? BBC political reporter Rajini Vaidyanathan tested the water at Bakewell Cattle Market.

RAJINI VAIDYANATHAN I'm Rajini Vaidyanathan and in the run-up to England's local elections on Thursday, I'm travelling south from Scarborough to see what's on voters' minds. Join me on the journey as it concludes tomorrow at the Isle of Wight ferry. <a class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8076798.stm">Day one: Scarborough</a>

Monday is market day in Bakewell. It has been since the 1300s.

The livestock market is no longer sited on the streets where it once began, but in a modern purpose built agricultural centre nearby.

In keeping with centuries-old tradition it remains a focal point for people in the town.

Hundreds of farmers pack into the two sales rings to buy the cattle and sheep being auctioned; for many it is as much about the socialising as it is the sales.

If anyone was unsure about the level of public anger towards politicians, they'd only have to come here.

"Disgusting", "scandalous", "complete crooks", "utter disgrace" are some of the printable phrases those I met here used to vent their anger over the expenses issue.

"I've no faith in any of them especially after all this that has just happened in the news with all these expenses. They're all the same to be honest," Sue tells me.

Voters in Bakewell will be choosing representatives for Derbyshire County Council

Sue says she won't be voting this week in the local and European elections.

That in itself is nothing new, turnout is always lower at local elections compared with generals, but set against the backdrop of MPs expenses it is clear that many here are staying away out of anger over current events rather than just apathy.

For Sue the broken relationship between voter and politician has passed the point of reconciliation. What could the parties do to win her vote back?

Nothing, she tells me: "I've just given up now. I doubt I'd ever vote again. They're all the same."

Low turnout

Turnout is one of the biggest worries for the main political parties this week. It is being predicted that if many more stay away from the polls like Sue, the smaller parties will benefit, to the cost of Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

"I can't see nothing different. Will it prove anything if you vote? What can you gain by voting? They're going to be the same as them that have been voted out, no matter who you vote," a farmer called Mr Sales remarks.

Bakewell Cattle Market is one of the largest in the country

The feeling I get is that many people here gave up on politics a long time ago, even before the expenses claims of MPs began to be printed. The connection between politician and voter, be it on a local or a national level, has been broken.

"They say I'm going to do this for you, I'm going to do that... but does it ever come back to you?"

First time voter, Jo, who works at the cattle market says she has already lost faith in politics, even before she has cast a ballot.

"They say they're going to do all this and that for us but you never see it come back to the farmers," she said.

Some of the farmers here do not feel their views are being listened to, on issues such as the EU, and sheep tagging proposals; on petrol prices, on improving transport links.

Jo adds, "Try and help us out... see where we are coming from."

Here I think I've struck on a similar theme from Scarborough; voters no longer feel that MPs understand them enough to represent them, and this expenses issue has widened the gulf even more.