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It’s no great surprise that Remain campaigner Jon Cruddas wants to steer the election debate away from Brexit and focus on local issues.

In last year’s EU referendum, 70 per cent of people in Dagenham & Rainham voted Leave, and in the 2015 general election Ukip came second with nearly 13,000 votes, behind Labour’s Cruddas. What happens to the Ukip vote this time is likely to be decisive.

In the Unite union offices which overlook the former Ford Dagenham plant, Mr Cruddas, who has a 4,980 majority, is in determined mood.

Labour’s former policy chief, who nominated Jeremy Corbyn as a candidate in the leadership election, is keen to talk housing and development.

He said: “People aren’t silly. They know Brexit is going ahead and we just have to get on with it now. The Tories want to run the election as a debate about Brexit, but in the Havering part of the constituency, it is more about housing.

“Given the history of this area it is all focusing on the next run of house-building — who benefits and who doesn’t. It needs to be part of a social contract.”

Ken Patel, 46, who runs a newsagents here, said demographic changes mean Ukip’s time is over: “There are a lot of black families and Bangladeshis now — I don’t think Ukip will get a look in.”

He added: “This is a working town with a big Labour tradition and Cruddas will have a lot of support, but now we have exited Europe I think the Tories could nick it.”

Conservative party strategists would appear to agree. “Lifelong Brexiteer” Julie Marson, who is again contesting the constituency, admitted that Tory HQ had invested “significant” resources in her campaign.

Dagenham and Rainham 2015 winner: Jon Cruddas, Labour Majority: 4,980

Mr Cruddas has held the seat since it was created in 2010. But Marson’s fight is being managed centrally, a sign that this battleground is seen as winnable.

The mother of one said: “On the doorstep Labour voters are saying they will not be voting Labour this time, and the main reason is Jeremy Corbyn and the other is Brexit.” She added: “Ukip is a party with a problem. It is a party without a purpose — it has achieved its aim. It is not in a position to sit at the negotiating table with 27 other European leaders.

“This election is a choice between Theresa May or Jeremy Corbyn.”

Sitting in the cavernous Eastbrook pub in Dagenham, Ukip candidate Peter Harris becomes particularly animated discussing his record on preventing mosques being built in the area.

The 50-year-old businessman has campaigned against a number of proposed sites, including in a former post office and the May & Baker Eastbrook Community Club. He believes local “strength of feeling” will help him chase down Mr Cruddas.

Harris wants to attract Labour voters, banking on them not being able to bring themselves to vote Conservative.

He acknowledges, however, that the population shift in the past five years could make life difficult.

“The demographic changes are huge, and the speed of change is massive. But we are not an anti-immigration party — we represent all people,” he said.

Residents talk about the pressure on schools and hospitals. Cheryl Moore, 52, said getting her daughters a school place was “a nightmare”. She said: “Round here there have been a lot of changes. The schools are full up with people way out of the catchment area. Houses, hospitals... So many people are moving out.”

However, national arguments seem to be at the forefront of people’s minds.Mrs Moore voted Ukip in the last election but said she would now “give the Conservatives a go”, despite her family being traditional Labour voters.

“Ukip got what they wanted. Nigel Farage got what he was fighting for. I’m going to see what Theresa May says."