As a foreign correspondent Hugh Sykes usually reports from abroad, from Iraq, Turkey, Germany, Pakistan.



But ahead of the general election on June 8th, he was given an interesting assignment - to visit three former industrial areas in the UK, to find out how they are changing and what undercurrents may be at play in the lead up to polling day.



So here are his 'Election reflections' from Teesside, the former Yorkshire coalfields and South Wales.