Lesley Laird made the appeal on Facebook days before being reselected to contest the Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath constituency

A shortage of activists has forced the shadow Scottish secretary to ask friends and family to stuff envelopes and deliver Labour campaign material.

Lesley Laird made the appeal on Facebook days before being reselected to contest the Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath constituency.

The unanimous decision, in the seat formerly held by Gordon Brown, was only made by two of the five local branches because three did not have enough members attending the key meeting.

Ms Laird wrote: “Looking for some assistance to stuff envelopes and deliver materials. If you are able to help in any way just PM [private message] me.”

Sources said only councillors and candidates were prepared to campaign for the party in Fife, which was once a Labour stronghold. “Sucking up to