ONE OF the best-known politicians of the past 20 years came to East Lancashire today on a flying campaign visit.

Ken Clarke came to the Globe Centre in Accrington to endorse Hyndburn Conservative candidate Karen Buckley.

He addressed a hastily-assembled gathering of local business owners and Tory councillors, promising a more ‘business-friendly’ government.

Asked by county councillor Mike Calvert how he would help high streets fight back against supermarkets and out-of-town retail parks, the shadow business secretary spoke of Tory plans for “local enterprise partnerships”, to replace the current regional structure set up by Labour.

He added: “Everyone likes supermarkets and shops there, but the same people are then devastated when they see the small shops slowly keeling over.”

A businessman who works with housing associations and councils on affordable homes then said he was worried about Tory public spending cuts, claiming some of his clients are rushing into projects before the Conservatives take over.

Mr Clarke told him: “If your housing association thinks one party will not have to cut public spending, they are living in a dream world.”

Other questions related to energy technology and possible tax breaks to encourage the regeneration of housing stock.

Speaking afterwards, he said accusations that the Tories, and he as Chancellor, had neglected East Lancashire before 1997 were ‘a whole lot of mythology'.