Helen Liddell will reinforce the message

The proposals by the Boundary Commission to cut the number of Scottish constituencies at Westminster by almost 20% means there are simply too many MPs chasing too few parliamentary seats.

The majority of seats will go in urban areas, meaning that Labour MPs will be hardest hit - further heightening tensions.

The party experienced an acrimonious selection battle in Glasgow Govan before Mohammad Sarwar was chosen as candidate for the 1997 election.

Mr Sarwar defeated former Glasgow Central MP Mike Watson, whose seat had disappeared in boundary changes.

Second ballot

Mr Watson - who now sits in the Scottish Parliament, holding the post of sports minister - initially won by a single vote.

However, a second ballot was ordered after Labour eventually agreed that the process was flawed.

Mr Sarwar eventually won the second ballot by 82 votes after another candidate dropped out and threw her support behind him.

Mindful of that experience, Scottish Labour MPs have been told in the clearest terms that they must stick to the rules.

Favoured candidates

Lesley Quinn said anyone found breaking the rules could be charged with bringing the party into disrepute.

This charge could ultimately lead to expulsion from the party.

Senior officials in the party are known to be concerned that members in Glasgow and Lanarkshire have already begun campaigning for favoured candidates - even though the selection process will not be completed until late next year.