The Conservative candidate currently leads in Brentwood and Ongar by at least 26 points, according to Yougov.

With under a week until polling day, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Brentwood and Ongar, David Kendall, has accused the incumbent, Eric Pickles, of not spending enough time in his constituency.

Mr Kendall said: “The message from people I have been speaking to is they a Member of Parliament who will do more for the people of Brentwood and Ongar.

“I do not think Mr Pickles has been able to spend as much time as he should, I would devote all my time here.

“I would not get a second home in London, I would get the train in with everybody else.”

Mr Pickles, the Conservative candidate, said he does not have a second home in London, and lives in his constituency.

He said: “I live in Mountnessing and have lived in the constituency since before I became the Member of Parliament in 1992.

“It is my home and I am a regular attender of community events between elections.

“Being a Member of Parliament involves representing the people of Brentwood and Ongar in Westminster during the Parliamentary week, as well as being in the constituency meeting individual constituents.

“If Mr Kendall had taken time to check the IPSA records for the last few years, he would see I have made no claims for accommodation, subsistence or travel.”

Mr Pickles, who is the secretary of state for communities and local government, is currently leading the Yougov nowcast polls for Brentwood and Ongar by over 26 points.

Mr Kendall, who came second in 2010, is currently trailing in fourth place behind UKIP and Labour.

UKIP candidate, Mick McGough, said he was hoping to come second.

He said: “I am very relaxed about everything and that is much better than last time, when I got 4pc and did not even get my deposit back.”

According to Yougov UKIP are projected to get between 13pc and 22pc of the vote, and Labour between 10pc and 18pc.

Liam Preston, the Labour candidate, said: “Many people feel not enough money is going back into their pockets, with rail fares rising.”

Also standing are Reza Hossain, for the Green Party, and Robin Tilbrook, for the English Democrats.