Hoon's voter 'alienation' fears

Too many people have lost faith in the power of voting, says Mr Hoon

The gap between politicians and the public is growing, with more and more people feeling alienated, Leader of the House of Commons Geoff Hoon has warned.

Two weeks after the general election, Mr Hoon said that in some areas of the UK there was a "reluctance to participate in our democracy".

Writing in the latest edition of Parliamentary House Magazine, he said it was an "issue of deep concern".

The 5 May election saw a 2% rise in voter turnout to just over 61%.

'Dialogue needed'

The former defence minister said too many people were asking whether voting made a difference.

"We must ensure that people understand at the local level that, when new investment in our public services is delivered, it is the result of the Labour government, not by chance.

"We are also determined to implement the manifesto that the British people elected us to deliver.

"With more dialogue, more communication and more listening from the government I believe we will have better legislation and a more engaged public."

The MP for Ashfield urged politicians to adapt to the new political landscape now that the government had been re-elected with a smaller majority.

"That means there must be more dialogue; more listening from the government; more consultation; more involvement of the backbenches in the development of legislation," he said.