As general election looms and recession enters fourth year, once boom city of Oulu has little faith in politicians after collapse of big timber and Nokia

A sudden flurry of spring snow has dusted the steps of an evangelical church in central Oulu, northern Finland, where about 100 people are crowded together for a Friday sermon.

But perhaps the true object of their devotion is inside black binliners by the door. Once a week, food parcels and a free meal attract a mix of unemployed men, single mothers and pensioners to the church.

It will take a while for Oulu to bounce back. But there is a feeling that we have to do it, there is no other way.

A change of government won’t make any difference – new faces, same shit