Guardian report from Erewash

The following is from an election report in this morning's paper linked here:

On up the M1, to bustling Trowell. "Oh God, the election," laughs Sarah Taylor, a teacher from Manchester, as though one had just mentioned an embarrassing mutual acquaintance. "I really don't know this time. I'm a Labour type, I suppose, but I really don't know."

Why not ? "Top-up fees, I think, above all - and just general disappointment". Who will you vote for? "Perhaps Liberal Democrat."

Trowell is in one of the key constituencies: Erewash, which straddles the motorway between Nottingham and Derby, Labour-held (Liz Blackman, with a majority of 6,932) but a place that usually swings with the victor, and where Robert Kilroy-Silk will make his appearance.

At the IKEA retail park, Rupa Patel, a social services worker, and Raymond Barnes contemplate "a new room for £614" before heading to the canteen. Rupa is determined to vote Labour but Raymond wavers: "I don't see much to choose between them to be honest," he says. "You're daft," chides Rupa, "of course there's a difference." Over education and the health service, she insists. Raymond wants to continue shopping.

The pedestrianised high street in Ilkeston in the heart of Erewash goes about its business with no visible sign of the election. The only canvassers in sight are a couple of Mormons. "I'm worried about immigration and schools being out of control," says Mary Thompson, a housewife with a Ramones T-shirt; but she is undecided about who to vote for. Last time Labour, this time "maybe Conservative, I don't know".

There is a world of difference between apathy and another word: disaffection, about which politicians talk less, and which is more dynamic, albeit negative.

There is a surprising coyness about this election - a lack of confidence in talking about it as though one were introducing some topic of distaste.

People do not really want to have the conversation. "I don't know yet," says Gerald, in telecommunications. "Tony Blair maybe, but I don't know if any of them can sort out what matters." What matters? "Well, it's the pound in your pocket, isn't it? And I suppose those other things like health and crime and all that. All right? I must be going."

The Bath Street fish bar offers pensioners a special of fish, chips and peas for £2. Taking advantage, Jack Stanley says he has voted for Jim Callaghan, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, but this time is undecided. "They're not as serious as they used to be," he says. "It's all done by television, not for real.