Alastair Campbell discussed the regeneration of Dagenham today.
The former Labour spin doctor joined Tory politician Steven Norris at the Sanofi drug factory in Rainham Road South, which is being turned into a multi-million pound business park.
The 450-staff factory is to close next year but Sanofi bosses hope to create hundreds more jobs at the park, called businesseast.
The debate was held just weeks after the US car giant Ford announced the closure of its 750-staff stamping and tooling plants in Chequers Lane, Dagenham, in an attempt to offset losses on Eureopean markets.
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