Paul Nuttall

democratic forum, a referendum in which 17.4 million Britons voted Leave.

Politicians who want to prevent Brexit – something Tony Blair openly admits to – are seeking to turn the Article 50 process into a quagmire from which there is no escape.

At times like this, when the establishment is playing fast and loose with the will of the people, it is crucial that the people make their feelings known. Because the only thing that will bring establishment parties into line is fear of the consequences at the ballot box.

So the two by-elections, in Copeland and in Stoke-onTrent Central, taking place this week are vital. As the Ukip candidate in Stoke-on-Trent, I am taking on a field of rivals who supported Remain in the referendum.

The race is shaping up to be a very close contest between me and the Labour candidate, a man who was still pouring scorn (and something else unmentionable) on the referendum result months after it had taken place. Voters in Stokeon-Trent, who voted overwhelmingly in favour of Brexit last June, have a huge decision to make on Thursday. If they elect me to be their next MP they will send shockwaves through all three establishment parties, showing that public support for getting out of the EU is stronger than ever.

If they install someone who backed Remain in the referendum they risk sending a contrary signal and emboldening the political establishment in its moves to keep the UK inside the EU.

The stakes are very high indeed, which explains the ferocity of the personal attacks I have come under both from political opponents and media outlets dedicated to blocking Brexit.

We are in an epic political tug-of-war here and I need everyone who backed the Leave cause to keep the faith and help me, as leader of Ukip, drag our great country out of the EU and back to being an independent, self-governing nation once

AT WESTMINSTER they refer to legislation that keeps getting tampered with by the Lords and goes back to the Commons to be restored as “parliamentary ping pong”. If the Lords is allowed to do this to Brexit, wrecking the timetable for departure, it won’t be so much a case of ping pong, just of pong.

The stench of a stitch-up will hang heavy in the air. The anger of voters who were promised in that referendum that “the Government will implement what you decide” will be palpable.

So the electors of Stoke-onTrent Central have a huge call to make. Many I have spoken to are fully aware of this. They know that fate has placed in their hands – as well as in mine – a particular, crucial chapter in the Brexit story.

I will spend the time between now and polling day making my case with every ounce of energy and every argument I can muster, seeking to be the authentic voice for Brexit voters of every political affiliation in the months ahead. So please help me in any way you can to make it game, set and match for Brexit on February 23.

‘We are in an epic political tug-of-war’