TWO top Labour figures urged ex-MP Peter Kilfoyle to help put them in the Shadow Cabinet – even though he does not have a vote.
Only current MPs will decide who should fill the 19 elected places, after which new Labour leader Ed Miliband will allocate specific portfolios to the winners.
Yet two former Cabinet ministers – Peter Hain and Jim Murphy – canvassed for support from Mr Kilfoyle, who stood down as MP for Walton in May.
To add insult to injury, Mr Murphy got Mr Kilfoyle's name wrong in a text message which read: "David, just to say I've put my name in for the Shadow Cabinet.
"Hope you might think of voting for me. – Jim Murphy."
Mr Hain also sent a text, which said: "Ed needs a strong team and I would bring energy and experience. Pls will u consider supporting me?"
A less-than-impressed Mr Kilfoyle said: "They are not the ideal candidates for the Shadow Cabinet if they do not even know their own electorates."
The results will be declared tomorrow .
The 49-strong list of contenders includes Shaun Woodward (St Helens South), Angela Eagle (Wallasey), Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood) and Stephen Twigg (West Derby).
Of the “Big Beasts” in Gordon Brown's last Cabinet, only Jack Straw, Alistair Darling and David Miliband have said they will return to the backbenches.
