UKIP is bullish about its chances of sealing success in south Essex.

Tim Aker, Ukip’s MEP, dismissed Labour’s challenge completely - and believes there are only “two choices” at the forthcoming election for south Essex voters.

He has already said he will challenge MP Jackie Doyle-Price for her Thurrock seat again after coming close to victory in 2015.

He said: “There are only two choices on the ballot paper come June 8, Tories or Ukip.

“Jeremy Corbyn has made Labour an irrelevance in Essex.

“The Tories have shown they have no plan to bring immigration down and will still throw taxpayers money into the EU’s pot. Tory MEPs had a chance to oppose free movement and didn’t. Only UKIP will get our money, borders and laws back.”

The snap election comes in the shadow of the second Lower Thames Crossing announcement last week. Stephen Metcalfe, Tory MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, is keen disgruntled voters don’t confuse Brexit with the crossing issue. He said: “They are different matters, this is not about the crossing, this is about the most complex and challenging series of negotiations in recent history. I promised we’d have a referendum on Europe, which we did. More than 70 per cent of my constituency voted to leave the European Union, The PM will make it happen.”