CYNICAL Nigel Farage revealed yesterday that he hopes to drag a by-election campaign sparked by the death of veteran Labour MP Michael Meacher into a divisive immigration row.

The Ukip leader signalled his intention to seize on what he called “rapid demographic change” in the Oldham West and Royton poll on December 3.

Mr Farage vowed to target Jeremy Corbyn in a bid to win over “patriotic, old Labour, working-class voters.”

He said: “Is he seen to be for them? For the country? And is he prepared to lift a finger to deal with the issue of immigration, because this constituency has been through very rapid demographic change in the last few years.”

Labour MP Jess Philips said the comments showed Ukip were a “far-right” party and predicted Labour would hold the seat.

Turning the tables on Mr Farage, she asked: “If you want to talk about tests in leadership, will you stand down if you don’t win in Oldham?”

Labour will finalise its shortlist of hopefuls today before a candidate is selected at a meeting of local party members on Thursday evening.

Oldham council leader Jim McMahon, who accepted an OBE earlier this year, is the favourite.

However, the Star understands he faces tough competition from other candidates with high local profiles.

There is also a feeling that Labour should select an Asian candidate to defend the seat.

Many of the constituencies in the region have large Asian populations, but all the MPs are white.

Kate Godfrey, who called Labour communications chief Seamus Milne a “fascism apologist” last week, did not make the long list.