A FRONTRUNNER in the race to become Inverclyde’s SNP candidate at next year’s general election has cleared a major hurdle after gaining the backing of local party members.

At a packed meeting on Monday night, branch members nominated Councillor Christopher McEleny, right, to go forward as a prospective candidate for the party.

Nominations close on 31 December and there will be a hustings event on the second Monday in January, before a ballot of members takes place the following Thursday to formally select the candidate.

Cllr McEleny has also revealed that if he goes on to become the area’s MP next May he would donate his local authority salary to charity.

He said: “I am humbled that the area’s SNP branch has nominated me to be a candidate to represent the SNP at the Westminster election in May.

“Of course, having over 1,200 members now locally it will be those members that decide on the SNP candidate.

“However, I don’t wish to represent just people that are members of the SNP but everyone in Inverclyde.

“It is clear from the overwhelming feedback I’ve received from the wider community of Inverclyde that there’s a burning desire for change — tackling poverty, ending low pay and creating a fairer Inverclyde.” If confirmed as the SNP candidate, Cllr McEleny hopes to oust Labour MP Iain McKenzie, who has already been selected as his party’s candidate for the election.

Mr McEleny said: “Many people have told me they believe that with my background as an active trade unionist all my working life I will work hard to make change happen.

“If I have the privilege of my life to represent the area that I was brought up in I will go to Westminster and stand up for the shared values the people of Inverclyde have: social justice, fairness and equality for all — values the Labour Party have long forgotten. As part of a strong SNP team, I will demand the powers Scotland has been promised so that we can use them to create a fairer country.” Cllr McEleny, who represents Gourock, also explained his vow to donate his council salary to local charities and voluntary organisations should he be elected as Inverclyde’s MP.

He said: “If given the honour of receiving a dual mandate by the people that live in Inverclyde as being both their MP and a member of Inverclyde Council I would immediately donate the salary I receive as a councillor to local charitable causes and voluntary organisations in the area.

“It would be wrong to take both salaries and the money would certainly help the magnificent work we see carried out in Inverclyde by our charities and volunteers on a daily basis.

“This arrangement would remain in place permanently until I have discussed with my constituents and fellow councillors what course of action would be best in terms of timing for the council and area as a whole.” Mr McEleny faces competition for his party’s nomination from Greenock’s Ronnie Cowan, who led the Inverclyde Yes campaign during the Scottish independence referendum.

The successful SNP candidate will be up against sitting MP Mr McKenzie, who won a by-election in 2011, following the death of David Cairns. Mr McKenzie won by a near 6,000 majority over the SNP’s Anne McLaughlin three years ago.