A PROSPECTIVE general election candidate says he has knocked on 500 doors to hear the messages of people in Inverclyde.

Chartered accountant Ian McDougall, one of the SNP hopefuls for May’s poll, has pledged that he would use his business experience to forge vital links with job-creation agencies.

The 42-year-old, who grew up in Larkfield, owns a corporate finance practice in Glasgow and is a founder owner of Glasgow’s first distillery in over 100 years.

He is also a non-executive finance director with a software company and a business mentor.

He said that after visiting 500 addresses across Inverclyde he received two consistent messages.

He told the Tele: “There is concern for the lack of job opportunities, resulting in many having to move away to find work, and frustration from those that remain but find themselves in low paid, unfulfilling jobs offering little or no career progression.

“Many social problems are caused by the persistent feeling of hopelessness, depopulation is caused by a lack of opportunities and financial pressure on public services is caused by a mixture of the two.

“Jobs don’t stop alcoholics drinking or drug-takers abusing, but creating well-paid jobs and opportunities is a good place to start.

“If selected, my most important role will be to create well-paid jobs and opportunities here in Inverclyde.

“We have to move away from past mistakes of depending on a few large employers who have no loyalty to Inverclyde or its people, and who invariably depart when they find a cheaper workforce elsewhere.” Mr McDougall believes that Inverclyde must attract small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) which typically employ no more than 250 people.

He says they are the ‘lifeblood of the Scottish economy’, but are far too thin on the ground here. Mr McDougall said: “Inverclyde has significantly less SMEs than the rest of Scotland and the UK.

“We appear to lack an entrepreneurial ethos, and any connections between education, industry and the public sector appear to lack direction and cohesion. “The recipe for success is inexpensive or free well equipped premises and facilities, experienced mentors and hard-working ambitious people, mixed with experienced business people, to create networking opportunities and eek some cash from the public sector and investors.” The SNP man has vowed to build relationships with large public and private employers, so that they support the SME sector.

He said: “I would use my knowledge of Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International to ensure SMEs in Inverclyde are accessing funding and support.

“As someone who looks after clients throughout Scotland, I am in no doubt that interaction with these bodies is significantly higher in other parts of the country than in Inverclyde.

“Regular engagement will generate an increased appreciation and understanding of what Inverclyde has to offer.

“Job creation, finance raising and in-depth understanding of economic management are exactly the type of skills I possess.

“It is these skills and connections that I believe will make me an extremely effective MP for Inverclyde, allowing me to grow our economy, create opportunities and give our young people a reason to stay in Inverclyde, as well as address the issue of chronic low pay and start eradicating poverty.” The other SNP candidates are Inverclyde Council SNP group leader Councillor Chris McEleny, former Yes Inverclyde leader Ronnie Cowan and Elizabeth Robertson, who works in the council’s education department.

Voting by party members closes on Wednesday at 2pm, and the result is expected two days later.