THERE has been no escape from politics for the past three weeks.

The build-up to what could be the most dramatic general election in a generation has taken over TV screens, radio airwaves, and even social networking websites, such as Facebook and Twitter.

We’ve had debates at hustings, candidates voicing their views on town centre soapboxes, and would-be MPs knocking at our doors, while many of us have gathered at home, or in the pub, to watch the theatre of the leaders’ debates.

But why has Colchester not seen a major party heavyweight?

Sally Bercow, Labour activist and wife of the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, spent an evening here, while shadow leader of the House of Commons, Sir George Young, joined Conservative candidate Will Quince in the town.

Baroness Ros Scott, president of the Lib Dems, has also paid the party’s Colchester candidate, Bob Russell, a visit.

All fine political figures, but not household names or Parliamentary big-hitters, and none of them are likely to hold one of the great offices of state after next Thursday’s vote.

Compare this to Norwich, where Tory leader David Cameron, his Lib Dem counterpart Nick Clegg, and Labour’s deputy leader Harriet Harman have all visited.

Mr Cameron also rallied the troops in Grays, while Ms Harman has been to Ipswich, as have Transport Secretary Lord Adonis and Ukip leader Lord Pearson.

In Norwich South, former Home Secretary Charles Clarke is battling for his seat, while transport minister Chris Mole is fighting for his political career in Ipswich.

Bob Russell’s Colchester seat is number 116 on the Conservatives’ target list, and is crucial to their efforts to get a working majority in the House of Commons.

Mr Quince and his team are covering every square inch of the constituency to get out the vote, but they are not getting the support they deserve from Tory HQ.

Colchester residents should be able to hear the views of the party hierarchy as they weigh up the options on their ballot paper.

Ed Balls, Michael Gove and David Laws – three men who want to be the next education secretary – should tell us whether Essex County Council will get more than £100million to transform secondary education in Colchester.

Independent experts predict whoever wins power will have to stop schools building, but the parties have not admitted it publicly.

Colchester is a congested commuter town, served by a crowded rail network and the A12, a road once voted England’s worst. Surely we would like to hear what Lord Adonis, Theresa Villiers and Norman Baker, the three transport supremos, would do to help.

And why haven’t defence hopefuls Bob Ainsworth, Liam Fox or Nick Harvey told us whether the 16th Air Assault Brigade’s posting to Afghanistan this autumn will be its last?

I have an open mind over whether the electoral system needs reform. But one of the present system’s consequences is the resources of each party are concentrated on the 100 or so “swing seats” seen as up for grabs. For right or wrong, Colchester, and the surrounding constituencies in north Essex, are not in that group.

As a result, the month-long election campaign largely passes us by. I think that’s a shame.