By Guto Thomas BBC Wales political correspondent

Crime and housing are issues raised on the doorstep

And anyone who doubts this bold statement should venture to Brynmawr or Tredegar as the whole constituency basks in the baking heat of Wales' first ever double by-election campaign.

But despite the sun's relentless focus on the ant-like army of politicans crawling all over the area, the physical and economic geography remains deeply scarred.

After all, this is a constituency that's still seen by many, through the prism of the past.

With a history of heavy industry - in coal and steel - the economic legacy in Blaenau Gwent has for too long been a grim one.

Perhaps these scars are most obvious in Ebbw Vale, where the land reclamation and regeneration work paid for by the assembly government is just starting to make an impression on the vast concrete wilderness, which marks the graveyard of steel-making in this part of Wales.

But history also shows a proud political legacy - with the area represented by two giants of the Labour movement - the founding father of the NHS Aneurin Bevan and the party's former leader Michael Foot.

More recently, the voters of Blaenau Gwent rocked the Labour party to its core, by electing Peter Law as an independent Member of Parliament. It was his death that has now triggered not one but two by-elections - to the assembly and to Westminster.

Far from being apathetic, some of the voters seem to be punch-drunk from the scale of the assault via the phone and on their doorsteps by political parties seeking votes

The fundamental political question in what was a rock-solid Labour seat, is whether the party can convince enough of their former voters to return to the fold - or whether Peter Law's widow and former agent can retain the seat as independent representatives in Westminster and Cardiff Bay.

Labour's approach during the campaign very much suggests an overtly and deliberate local campaign - with even the posters and placards around the constituency bearing the words "Blaenau Gwent Labour".

Just as with Labour's approach when they won back the Parliamentary seat in Ynys Mon a few years ago, there's no mention of new, old, or Welsh Labour here.

Game of dodgems

Indeed, one of the defining features of the campaign so far is the glaring absence of big name politicians - part of the staple diet of by-elections past, but an approach which could badly backfire within the context of this particular contest.

The response on the doorsteps suggests that crime and anti-social behaviour is one of the areas of greatest concern. And although this is a problem faced by communities across the whole of Wales, the situation is perceived to be linked to poverty.

Within the constituency, are some of the most deprived communities in the country - pockets of extreme deprivation, which are a direct consequence of broader economic and social problems.

The lack of affordable housing, the need for good skilled jobs, better transport links and the lack of local services are also issues being raised on the doorsteps. And even though it's a national issue, the threat of closure faced by many small post offices, has also been pushed to the top of the campaign agenda.

In many ways, there's nothing unique to Blaenau Gwent about these issues, but crucially, they are all issues which have a clear and direct impact on people's everyday lives. Politics, whether people like it or not, really matters.

But as the latest batch of politicians rolled through the back streets of Ebbw Vale, there was a warning.

Far from being apathetic, some of the voters seem to be punch-drunk from the scale of the assault via the phone and on their doorsteps by political parties seeking votes.

It's a bit like a game of dodgems, as people try to avoid yet another gang of eager men and women in suits.

The people of Blaenau Gwent have probably never seen so many politicians knocking on quite so many doors. The only consolation is that it will all be over in less than three weeks.