Former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott visited Thirsk and Malton to add his support to the Labour campaign there.

Mr Prescott brought his Prescott Express campaign bus to Thirsk, Pickering and Malton yesterday, ahead of the Thirsk and Malton constituency’s delayed General Election vote on Thursday.

Accompanied by Labour’s candidate, Jonathon Roberts, he talked to voters about the new coalition Government.

Mr Prescott said: “It’s interesting talking to people because voters here are in the unique position of voting on a manifesto that was never put to the electorate. It’s like a referendum. There are a lot of disappointed Liberals here, and likewise Tories, and this is a chance like all by-elections for people to say ‘hang on a minute’.”

Mr Prescott’s visit follows one to Thirsk yesterday by Foreign Secretary William Hague, there to support Conservative candidate Anne McIntosh.

The election in the new constituency was delayed after the death of John Boakes, the original UKIP candidate. UKIP’s new candidate, Toby Horton, was also campaigning in Pickering yesterday. He said: “We’ve had a tremendous response, people are very supportive. Most people are puzzled by this coalition.

“It may be all lovey dovey in London, but here at grass roots the Conservative and Liberal Democrat candidates are going at it hammer and tongs. I thought of calling Relate.”

He added: “I think we’re getting a lot of support because people are looking at what’s going on and thinking nobody voted for this. Clegg and Cameron have gone into this but no-one else knows what’s going on.”

Also standing are Liberal Democrat Howard Keal and Liberal John Clark.