THE people of Inverclyde are today helping to shape Scotland’s future by voting in the Scottish Parliamentary elections.

After weeks of campaigning and canvassing across the district, public meetings, an avalanche of social media activity, rallies and televised debates, the wait to find out who will be Greenock and Inverclyde’s next MP will soon be over.

The sitting Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has stood down and the four candidates are Graeme Brooks for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Siobhan McCready for Scottish Labour, Stuart McMillan for the SNP and John Watson for the Liberal Democrats.

It was a slow but steady start at the polls this morning which opened at 7am.

James McDougall, 81, of Armadale Place in Greenock, cast his vote for the SNP at the Salvation Army Centre in Regent Street.

He said: “I voted for the SNP because I think they have done a good job of running the country in the past nine years.

“I can’t see any other parties standing a chance.”

Leonard Culverwell, of Brymner Street, cast his vote for Labour at the McLean Museum.

He said: “I voted for Labour.

“The SNP are going to walk it but I’m opposed to the SNP.

“I don’t like the way Nicola Sturgeon has disrespected 55 per cent of the Scottish nation who voted against independence at the referendum.”

Voters, including first time teenagers, will visit polling stations all across the area to deliver their verdict.

Once the vote is over at 10pm, a huge operation kicks into gear to promptly deliver all the ballot boxes to the count HQ at the Waterfront Leisure Centre in Greenock.