I won’t resign if I don’t become an MP, says Paul Nuttall

Paul Nuttall has vowed to stay on as Ukip leader even if he fails to win a seat in the General Election.

He said he will give it his “best shot”, but will remain in post in the event of defeat in order to “professionalise” the party and overhaul its image.

Mr Nuttall, who was rejected by voters in a by-election earlier this year, is contesting the constituency of Boston and Skegness in the June 8 poll.

He was asked by the The Sunday Telegraph if he will step down in the event of failure – as predecessor Nigel Farage did after losing in South Thanet in 2015.

“No, I’m not doing that. I will be here to see through the restructure and the changing of the party,” Mr Nuttall said.

The Ukip leader came second to Labour newcomer Gareth Snell in the Stoke Central by-election held in February following the resignation of shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt.

Mr Nuttall has faced criticism over the party’s election pledges, which include a plan to ban the burka.

Ukip’s former major donor, Arron Banks, later said the party is “finished as an electoral force” under its current leadership.

The latest polls show Ukip at 5%, whereas the party secured 12.6% of the vote in the last General Election.

In 2015 Ukip came second in Boston and Skegness to the Tories, who secured a 10% majority in the seat.

Failing to get elected a second time will not change Ukip’s leadership, Mr Nuttall said, explaining that the by-election and national poll were unforeseen challenges.

“I would professionalise the party, rebrand and get the party ready for 2020,” he said.

Among the changes to Ukip’s image will be a new colour scheme – dropping the “garish” yellow, but preserving the “royal” purple in its branding, he told the newspaper.

“I think we need to look fresh and modern and forward-looking,” he said.