I WOULD like to invite readers to a meeting in York tomorrow evening.

Since I became leader of the Liberal Democrats, I have held public meetings with ordinary people and families. No scripted questions, no pre-prepared answers – just a frank talk between me and local people about issues, problems, and how we can solve them.

Most people I meet feel cut off from politics – left out or even ignored most of the time. I’m determined to do everything I can to change that.

Tomorrow’s meeting will be from 6.45pm to 8pm, at Alcuin College, at the University of York. I’m looking forward to meeting local people with our candidate, Madeleine Kirk.

Madeleine has been a leading figure in campaigns against health service cuts, against the closure of post offices and calling for improvements in York’s flood defences.

I know how devastating last year’s floods have been for so many people across Yorkshire. Madeleine has campaigned for better flood protection in York, securing new pumping stations in Strensall.

At a time when people are anxious about the economy, I am looking forward to explaining how the Liberal Democrats would help families and businesses through this recession.

The public meetings are a great way to keep in touch with what matters to real people, outside the Westminster bubble.

Politics is so often about schoolboy fighting in the House of Commons – and far too little about listening. These meetings are about doing things differently, so that I can champion the causes that people really care about.

Nick Clegg MP, Liberal Democrat Leader.

• Tickets can be booked via york@newgenerationsociety.com