Paul Nuttall will contest Stoke Central for UKIP

Paul Nuttall has been selected as UKIP's candidate for the Stoke Central by-election, putting him smack in the middle of the biggest test of his leadership so far.

Stoke is one of UKIP's strongest areas and one of the most eurosceptic parts of the country. This is a real opportunity to gain a seat.

In his acceptance speech, Paul said that Labour will be telling lies about UKIP wanting to privatise the NHS. He said that in 2011 he said he wanted to bring some privatisation to the NHS but after seeing the effects of Labour's part privatisation of the NHS he had changed his mind. He then said something that very few politicians ever have: "I was wrong".

The Lib Dems have selected Dr Zulfiqar Ali as their candidate, pretty much guaranteeing the weaponisation of the NHS in this election. Ali is an anti-Brexit candidate (obviously) which isn't going to endear him to the almost 70% of voters in Stoke who voted to leave the EU.

Labour and the Tory vote-splitters have yet to announce their candidates for this by-election but Labour have already been out on the streets telling people that UKIP want to privatise the NHS so it looks like we can expect a dirty campaign from them.