A senior shadow minister has launched a stinging attack on Ukip on the day Labour launches its Heywood and Middleton by-election campaign.

Chuka Umunna accused the party of exploiting the worries of working people for his own ends – and branded Nigel Farage a Thatcherite.

The attack comes as Labour prepares to take on Ukip in Heywood and Middleton over the coming weeks, with the anti-EU party planning to give Ed Miliband a shock.

Mr Farage launched his campaign late last week, even before the funeral of late Labour MP Jim Dobbin had taken place.

On the doorstep his party is highlighting the town's grooming scandal and accusing Labour of letting it happen on their watch.

But in his conference speech, shadow business secretary Mr Umunna said the anti-EU party is simply pitching people against each other.

Highlighting low pay and zero-hours contracts as a major issue for many workers, he said: “Some, like Ukip, want to exploit these insecurities for their own agenda.

“Nigel Farage says he wants to keep the flame of Thatcherism alive. Well, to quote the lady herself, 'No. No. No'.

“We saw how Thatcherism divided and devastated so many of our communities across Britain.

“A divided Britain is not a stronger Britain.

“Now Ukip are seeking to take this division to a whole new level: scapegoating and setting different groups against each other. We won't stand for it.”

He also used his speech to praise Greater Manchester's 'super council' for leading the way on devolution.

Mr Umunna said: “Conference, it's good to be back in Manchester, Labour Manchester, with a combined authority achieving great things.

“Your example here is why we'll push power away from Whitehall, enabling cities and regions to be masters of their own destiny.”

He said Labour should be proud of its record when out campaigning on the doorstep, stressing its achievements when last in office.

He said they included millions of young people with a better education, university for the many and a national minimum wage – which over the weekend Labour said would rise to £8 an hour by 2020 if it wins next year.

Keep up to date with our live Labour Party conference blog here.