HE’S known as one of the biggest political beasts in Westminster, but yesterday shadow business secretary Ken Clarke was on the campaign trail in Newport.

The veteran Conservative politician arrived in the city by train before walking through the city centre to meet shoppers and traders going to the polls in less than two weeks time.

After listening to business owner’s experiences of the recession, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Clarke said he was shocked by how deeply Newport had been hit by the economic downturn.

“I am genuinely surprised Newport has been so badly affected,” he said. “We must do something to change that. The Conservatives will deal with the country's debt in order to encourage investment, build a more balanced economy and bring modern industry to important places like Newport.”

One of the traders Mr Clarke met was owner of The Pot Cafe in Newport Arcade, Angela Roberts.

She said her business had been severely affected by a huge drop in custom since the start of the recession.

She was not sure who she was going to vote for, but said she definitely would not be voting for Labour.

“I want an MP whose going to come here and answer my questions. How do we get businesses back in Newport? Because we are all dying a death.”

Mr Clarke’s visit to the city centre was briefly interrupted when he was approached by UKIP MEP John Bufton, also out canvassing in the city.

Mr Bufton challenged the shadow business secretary on Conservative immigration policy, before Mr Clarke branded UKIP a “crackpot party” and refused to take a campaign leaflet from the Welsh MEP.

His visit finished with a visit to the city’s SuperDragons Den on Upper Dock Street.