FORMER SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars is backing Inverclyde councillor Chris McEleny to become the party’s new second in command.

The veteran nationalist has thrown his weight behind the Mr McEleny’s bid because he says he would be a ‘voice for the membership’ of the party.

Mr Sillars, husband of the late Margo MacDonald, also shares the same political views as the Inverclyde Council SNP group leader and believes the Gourock councillor would help claw back power from Westminster and Holyrood to local level.

He said: “I decided to nominate Chris for two reasons.

“First he is a socialist, and I believe that it is necessary for the socialist wing of the party to be represented in the election for deputy leader.

“Second, concerns the balance of power within the party. Before 1999, with only a few MPs, the power in the party lay with the members as represented by the national executive.

“With the election of a large Holyrood parliamentary group inevitably power shifts from the membership, and the national executive to that group because it has to deal with matters on a day to day basis, and occupies the major platform within the party.”

Mr McEleny faces tough competition for the role from frontrunner Angus Robertson MP, who is the current SNP Westminster group leader, Edinburgh East MP Tommy Sheppard and MEP Alyn Smith. But Mr Sillars is in no doubt as to who he believes is the top choice for the party’s deputy leadership.

He said: “The election of Chris would insert into the power matrix a voice for the membership which is not there at present.”

The ringing endorsement from the veteran politician is a big boost to Mr McEleny’s campaign.

He said: “I am delighted that I have received the support of the former depute leader of the SNP by nominating me for the position of depute leader.

“Jim has championed working class and socialist values over the years, the values I believe in and want to champion at the heart of the SNP.

“The decision making and power within our party is weighted far too heavily towards MPs and MSPs.

“A better balance is required and I believe as a councillor I am uniquely placed to ensure that the hopes and aspirations of our party’s membership are equally represented in the leadership of the SNP.”