Rupert Lowe’s current boast is he will stand 650 candidates at the next election, but the first past the post system is unlikely to work in his favour

It’s not just the June 18 Makerfield by-election: the anti-immigration party to the right of Reform has its eyes on a nationwide battle.

The Labour mayor has splashed £8,000 on online adverts championing niche local concerns ahead of the June 18 vote.