THREE contenders tipped as a potential candidates for the SNP at next year’s General Election have ruled themselves out of the race.

McGill’s Buses supremo and former SNP council candidate Ralph Roberts, Port Glasgow councillor Jim MacLeod and local MSP Stuart McMillan have all confirmed they will not be challenging local SNP group leader Chris McEleny.

Mr McEleny last month announced he is seeking his party’s backing to contest the seat next year.

It leaves Mr McEleny and his colleague Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess as the only names in the frame so far.

Cllr Campbell-Sturgess has refused to rule out putting himself forward but has yet to formally confirm his bid.

Mr Roberts, who fell just short of becoming a councillor in 2012, says he is completely focused on his job at McGill’s and trying to grow the Greenock-based company.

But the bus boss has not ruled out a tilt at politics at some point in the future.

He said: “I haven’t given any thought to putting myself forward to be considered as the SNP candidate for the 2015 Westminster elections, so the rumour is incorrect.

“There is still much to be done at McGill’s so I am very much committed to that for the foreseeable future.” Inverclyde SNP group deputy leader Mr MacLeod says he was ‘humbled’ to be mentioned as a possible General Election contender for the area — but told the Tele that ill health meant he could not enter the race.

Councillor MacLeod, who was a list candidate for the Scottish Parliament election in 2003, said: “It would be an honour to represent the SNP locally at the Westminster elections, however as many people know, my health hasn’t been great in the last few months and at this point in time I don’t think I could do the job justice.

“It’s not to say that it won’t happen in the future.

“But whoever stands has a very good chance of winning in Inverclyde.

“Locally and nationally Labour are not popular at the moment and at the by-election in 2011 there was less than 6,000 votes in it.

“We have a very good chance of electing an SNP MP for Inverclyde.” Local MSP Stuart McMillan was also tipped as a potential Westminster candidate but he has now taken himself out of the equation.

He said: “I will not be seeking the nomination to be the SNP candidate for the Westminster elections.

“I was approached by a number of SNP members and also a non-member to consider being the candidate.

“I currently have a job to do being an MSP representing my constituents but I will work hard to have a successful result for the SNP in Inverclyde next year.” Gourock councillor Mr McEleny now appears to be the clear frontrunner.

He has said he would be ‘honoured’ to become Inverclyde’s MP.

The closing date for SNP nominations is expected to be some time next month.