A LEADING figure in the Inverclyde pro-independence Yes campaign is the latest person to throw his hat in the ring hoping to become the area’s SNP candidate at the General Election.

Greenock man Ronnie Cowan, who has been an active member of the party since the age of 16, is now firmly in the frame for selection to contest the seat in next year’s poll.

Mr Cowan, right, who works in IT, led the local Yes group in the run-up to September’s Scottish independence referendum. They were beaten in Inverclyde but only by a wafer thin 86-vote margin.

The vote has split the local electorate down the middle and Mr Cowan now wants to capitalise on that and continue fighting in the best interests of Inverclyde and Scotland at the UK parliament.

He told the Tele: “I have been encouraged by members of the SNP, SSP, Green Party and those still without a party affiliation to stand for Westminster on the SNP ticket. With this in mind and as an SNP party member for many years, I approached SNP HQ and have since passed the vetting process required to be a candidate for Westminster.

“Therefore I shall be asking the local SNP branch members to nominate me as their candidate in May 2015.” Mr Cowan will provide competition to local SNP group leader, Councillor Chris McEleny, who is so far the only confirmed runner for the party.

Whoever the eventual candidate is will be bidding to oust sitting Inverclyde MP, Labour’s Iain McKenzie, who has been in office since his by-election victory in 2011 following the death of David Cairns.

Mr McKenzie, who was selected by his party some time ago to contest the seat, won by a near 6,000 majority over the SNP’s Anne McLaughlin.

But Mr Cowan believes there is a strong wind of change in local politics and hopes to first gain the support of his party then the Inverclyde electorate in his bid to become an SNP MP.

He said: “Inverclyde has suffered under 80 years of Labour control: whether in power or opposition they mismanaged resources and failed to provide a vibrant alternative to Tory cuts and austerity.

“As recently as 8 December, they abstained from a vote on fracking after a Westminster debate. A strong SNP voice at Westminster is not a luxury, it’s a necessity to ensure that Inverclyde is both protected and listened to.

“The days of going through the motions are over.

“We need an MP and a party that is prepared to stand and fight our corner.” As well as Mr McEleny, fellow Inverclyde SNP councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess is also thought to be interested in representing the party at the election — something he has not confirmed or denied.

But Mr Cowan is said to have the backing of the majority of party members who were ‘impressed’ by him during the referendum.

The Yes Inverclyde leader said: “In the aftermath of the referendum it would have been very easy to rage against the machine and walk away from the challenges that face Scotland today. But I never considered that, not for one heartbeat.

“Instead I took time to consider what role I could fill that would take the cause for independence to the next level.

“During the referendum campaign I witnessed an awakening in the electorate both locally and nationally. A spirit and attitude emerged that says it’s time to take a long hard look at the society we support and recognise that it can be changed for the better.

“I was proud to be part of a movement that demanded a fairer society. As a consequence of the referendum campaign we have seen a massive increase in pro-independence party membership and locally the SNP branch member numbers are over 1,200.

“The SNP have moved on with new leaders. New policies are already being identified and formed.

“The time is right for the YES alliance members to move on too.” For more information visit www.ronniecowan.com.