The experts would have us believe there is public apathy towards the General Election but that's not what I've found on the streets.

When I've been attending various engagements across the patch, many people have been happy to chat about who they intend to vote for and why, and I'd be surprised if turnout was less than the last general election.

I have remained independent as far as the individual parties are concerned, and this column is written long before the polls have closed, but I suspect as you read it Tony Blair is still in power.

None of the parties seemed to come up with a big idea to sweep the public off their feet. Nothing of the magnitude of past Conservative tax reforms or Labour's minimum wage.

The opposition seems to have been desperately and successfully trying to focus the media spotlight on Iraq and asylum, but I have found the public has been concentrating on other issues.

In terms of the economy, they trust Gordon Brown and they have also seen improvements in education and health. Perhaps it is a case of better the devil you know.

What is a shame that so many people in the region feel their vote will not make a difference and I think there is a groundswell of support for adjusting the current way we elect our representatives and our leader.

That doesn't necessarily mean bringing in proportional representation. That system has its merits but it could also give a voice in Parliament to distasteful groups such as neo-Nazis, who can garner a few votes up and down the country.

Perhaps we do need to look at a presidential style system where we can vote for a local representative and also a national leader.

The complicated way in which the two main parties elect their leader means that quite often the most important figure in the land is a compromise, chosen not for ability but to block someone else.

Perhaps the job should be opened up to allow those who have had extensive experience of life outside politics to enter the fray.

Let's allow business tycoons like Sir Richard Branson and Tesco boss Sir Terence Leahy to put themselves forward. Perhaps an educationalist or eminent health professional could win over the public.

At least then every vote would counts whether it is in deep blue Richmondshire or deep red Sedgefield.

I hope whoever forms the new government will declare from day one their determination to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

I read yesterday of the vicar of a church near Rochdale who is now holding services at his home because his congregation, many of them elderly, are afraid to attend the church. Recently they have been pelted with abuse, eggs and rocks. Stained glass windows have been smashed and the church vandalised.

Governments in the past have shown that if there is a will there is a way. Like many, I felt the miners were treated unfairly during the 1984 dispute but there is no doubting the determination of the government of the day to succeed.

I want to see a government show similar resolve in combating the cancer of crime and anti-social behaviour that threatens to take over our streets.