BREAKING: UKIP leader Paul Nuttall WILL stand in Stoke by-election to snatch Labour seat

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Paul Nuttall has been confirmed as the Stoke candidate

The vote is being helf following the rsignation of departing Labour MP Tristram Hunt, and is to take place on 23 February.

The vote is being held on the same day as a byelection in Copeland, which was prompted by the resignation of another Labour MP, Jamie Reed.

His decision to stand indicates Ukip's belief that it has a strong chance of taking the former Labour stronghold.

The seat is traditionally a safe Labour one, but it will be a significant battle for the party as its majority has fallen in recent polls.

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Paul Nuttall hopes to snatch the Stoke Central seat away from Labour

Stoke-on-Trent recorded a huge number of Leave votes in last summer's European Union referendum at just under 70 per cent, despite Labour's policy being to back Remain.

Labour is yet to choose their candidate, but could face a tough battle after seeing its majority fall from 20,000 in the 1997 general election to about 5,000 in 2015.

The by-election will be highly significant battle that is likely to shed light on Ukip's level of support after Nigel Farage's leadership, the shape of post-Brexit politics in England, and Jeremy Corbyn's performance as Opposition leader.

And Mr Nuttall hopes he can steal in to snatch the seat away from the left-wing party to become Ukip's second MP with the help of Stoke's large number of Brexit supporters.

Original Article