MORE than 800 people from across Inverclyde have joined the Scottish National Party following last month’s independence referendum.

The people of Inverclyde voted against Scottish independence by a wafer thin 86-vote margin — but the result has now given the SNP a huge boost nationally and locally.

Party membership for the district has now surpassed 1,000, with more than 800 new members signed up in just one week after the vote on 18 September.

It was standing room only on Monday night at the first local SNP branch meeting since the referendum.

Around 200 members gathered in the Gamble Halls in Gourock to discuss the way forward — and party chiefs say they are delighted at the surge in support.

John Crowther, convener of the SNP Greenock and Inverclyde branch, said: “The turnout at our meeting on Monday night was truly extraordinary.

“Our membership increased by more than 500 per cent in the week after the referendum and continues to grow every day.

“The amazing new democratic movement which grew around the local Yes campaign clearly will not go away.

“People are joining the SNP in such huge numbers because they trust the party to stand up for Inverclyde’s interests.” The SNP national membership now outstrips that of the UK-wide Liberal Democrats, with the party becoming the third biggest in Britain. Membership is also greater than that of all the other parties’ totals in Scotland combined.

Local MSP Stuart McMillan said: “I remember when I first joined the SNP over 20 years ago. Times have changed and this huge influx of members shows that the SNP are increasingly seen as the party of Scotland.

“Now we have meetings that are standing room only. The huge influx in female members is also encouraging.

“Westminster will be increasingly be held to account on their vow of substantial new powers for Scotland. This rejuvenated movement in Inverclyde won’t accept the same old politics as usual from the Westminster elite.” The leader of the Inverclyde Council SNP group has also hailed the unprecedented surge in party membership in Inverclyde.

Councillor Chris McEleny said: “It’s absolutely amazing the volume of people that have joined in the last two weeks.

Inverclyde was promised more powers if it voted no and this is a vow that Westminster must keep.

“Our new members will be campaigning to ensure we elect an SNP MP for Inverclyde in May to hold the Westminster government to account.”