Paul Nutall, the Ukip leader, has pledged to take on the "metropolitan elite" as he was officially selected for the Stoke-on-Trent by-election.

Seeking to ride a wave of anti-Establishment sentiment, Mr Nuttall pledged to appeal to those not “born into a world of connections” as his candidacy was confirmed.

Securing tighter immigration controls, fighting for tougher prison sentences and scrapping the so-called "Bedroom Tax" were named as policies he would pursue.

He also promised put pride in Englishness - “the one national identity in our island that is not allowed to speak its name” - at the heart of his campaign.