text: A Liberal Democrat candidate has thanked Nick Clegg for not visiting his seat because he said it would turn off voters. Josh Mason, who is standing in Lib Dem-held Redcar, said the Deputy Prime Minister was 'not the most popular'. He said that a visit from the party leader to the seat, which is currently held by the Lib Dems,would not 'do us any favours'. Scroll down for video . Josh Mason, who is standing in Lib Dem-held Redcar, said his own party leader Nick Clegg was 'not the most popular' But after Lib Dem HQ heard about the remarks he was forced to make an embarrassing U-turn. Mr Clegg has seen a dramatic collapse in his popularity since the heyday of the 2010 election campaign when he was lauded as being more popular than Winston Churchill. The party secured 23 per cent of the vote in the 2010 election. Since taking the Lib Dems into government and breaking his promise to scrap tuition fees, the party's poll ratings have slumped to single figures. Most Lib Dem MPs are choosing to keep Mr Clegg off their leaflets and instead campaign on local issues. Mr Mason told ITV Tyne Tees: 'I think that Nick Clegg coming to Redcar might be a little bit of a double-edged sword for us. 'He’s not the most popular politician in the mainstream political circuit at the moment and I’m not convinced that his presence here would actually do us many favours.' After the interview, the Lib Dems issued a 121 word statement on Mr Mason's behalf praising Mr Clegg for having 'real guts'. Mr Clegg is touring the country in a bright yellow battlebus, which stopped off in Cardiff yesterday where he campaigned with leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Kirsty Williams (pictured) Mr Mason said he was now in 'no doubt' that Mr Clegg would be 'well received' if he paid a visit. The statement said: 'Nick has shown real guts as our party leader and is someone I admire and respect. 'As Deputy Prime Minister he delivered tax cuts for low earners, more jobs and apprenticeships, and ensured real investment has come to Redcar after decades of neglect by Labour and the Tories. 'Whilst this real difference to real people’s lives has not always been given a fair hearing in the mainstream political circuit, the election campaign at last gives Nick and our party a chance to be heard directly by the public. 'As such I have no doubt that if Nick now came to Redcar and met all the people who have benefited from having the Liberal Democrats in government he would be well received.'‎ . The Lib Dems won the Redcar seat with a 5,000 strong majority in 2010 but MP Ian Swales has stepped down. Mr Clegg faces a tough fight to keep hold of his Sheffield Hallam seat and polls have predicted his party could lose more than half of its MPs.‎ .
target: Josh Mason gave TV interview thanking Clegg for not visiting his seat .
  He is standing in Lib Dem-held Redcar but faces Labour challenge .
  After making scathing remarks he rowed back with statement from party .
  Suggested that Lib Dem leader would be made 'welcome' after all .