UKIP believes it can win the by-election in Lincolnshire

After Sarah Olney overturned a 23,000 majority in Richmond, UKIP thinks it can do the same in Sleaford and North Hykeham

Paul Nuttall has replaced Nigel Farage as leader of UKIP (AFP)

Ukip thinks it can win the by-election in Lincolnshire next week after the Liberal Democrats pulled off a surprise victory in Richmond.

After Sarah Olney overturned a 23,000 majority, Ukip believe they can win the seat of Sleaford and North Hykeham which had a Conservative majority of 24,000 in 2015.

Ukip candidate Victoria Ayling is hoping to become the party’s second MP and noted the constituency voted predominantly for Britain to leave the European Union and might be unhappy with the Government's actions since the referendum.

"The overarching feeling is to give the Government a good kick as happened in Richmond, which was predominantly Remain,” Ms Ayling told Sky News.

"Here it is predominantly Out and they want to give the Government a kick here, so after Richmond it's looking very encouraging."

The Sleaford seat is vacant after Stephen Phillips resigned following “irreconcilable policy differences” with the Government.

He made the decision after Theresa May refused to allow Parliament a vote on triggering Article 50 – a move that was overturned by the High Court.

Shadow energy secretary David Gardiner said Labour was focused on those who voted for Brexit and securing the best possible deal for the country.

"We want to show the people of Sleaford that actually the way in which we leave the EU is vitally important for their future prosperity,” Mr Gardiner told Sky News.

"We mean to get the best possible deal. That means we have tariff-free access into the single market. The Government has clearly abandoned that."