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Immigration a local election issue

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Millions of people have the chance to vote in local elections in England on Thursday, and the poll is a story which could have many endings.

With 4370 seats up for election there's scope for all parties to claim a win.

Every seat in London is being contested.

Jeremy Corbyn's hopes are gains in Wandsworth and Westminster, traditional Tory urban heartlands.

He's also aiming for the one seat Labour needs to take control of Barnet Council.

The Lib Dems are also challenging the Conservatives in the capital, setting their sights on Richmond and Kingston.

But even if the Tories suffer losses in London, it could still be a win for Theresa May if the party makes Brexit-based wins outside the capital.

::Conservatives facing local election struggle

In Peterborough, like other strong Brexit areas, it's all about what happens to the UKIP vote.

If the UKIP vote collapses, both the Conservatives and Labour will be hoping to benefit.

One UKIP voter from Peterborough said he was changing parties this time. "No, we're leaving Europe now, they did that and that was that," he said.

Another said she was sticking with UKIP: "I've always voted Labour because I'm working class. But last vote I did for UKIP because I want to be out of the EU. Yes, I would again."

Image:Hasan Mahmood believes the public just want some certainty

At the Top Yard Fight Club, they're concerned about Brexit.

Hasan Mahmood says, "Everything's a worry. We don't know where we're going in life at the minute. Don't know what direction, we just want the country to be in a better situation. Things to be more affordable."

::All you need to know about the local elections

With one in five people in Peterborough born outside the UK, immigration has always been a testing subject.

Cafe owner Carla Peixoto moved to the city from Portugal 18 years ago.

She said people warned her about the problems immigration had caused, but says she's never had a problem.

Her customers are unsure how Brexit will play out.

"Portuguese people complain because it's all about Brexit and starting to cause problems with Portuguese people. Some are starting to return to Portugal as well," Carla says.

Carla Peixoto says Brexit has caused some problems for immigrants
Image:Carla Peixoto says Brexit has caused some problems for immigrants

Peterborough has a large Pakistani population.

Bilal Nasir runs a popular grocery, and feels the local elections should be focussed on local issues.

But he admits Brexit is looming large with many of his customers.

"People are still confused. Not even the Labour party or the Tory party, they're not giving you a proper plan. They're keping everything secret.

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They're just going with the mood of the public instead of telling the public here's what we're going to do."

You can follow the local election results live here at sky.news.com or watch the Sky News election special from 10pm on Thursday

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