A NEW film about the borough’s General Election battle between Barking MP Margaret Hodge and the British National Party is due to be aired next month.

The Battle of Barking, which was filmed over one year, documents the political campaign of a local Labour Party in fear of losing its long-term hold on the constituency.

The film sheds light on Labour’s strategies in the fight against BNP leader Nick Griffin’s attempt to unseat Mrs Hodge. It includes interviews with BNP supporters, pollsters and Labour supporters.

The BNP was wiped out from the borough on election day. All 12 councillors lost their seats, and Labour MPs Hodge and Dagenham’s Jon Cruddas held onto their Parliamentary posts.

The victory led to Barking Labour winning a campaigning award at their party’s conference last month.

The Battle of Barking, by Laura Fairrie, will be shown on More4 on November 30.