FORMER First Minister Alex Salmond believes Councillor Jim McEleny will do a great job after being appointed local Alba Party leader.

Founder Mr Salmond said: “Jim brings a wealth of experience to the role, something that will be essential to work towards our radical plans to tackle child and family poverty.

“The need for Alba in Inverclyde has never been more evident.

"The decision to snub Ferguson’s in Port Glasgow for two new CMAL ferries is the sort of action that saw the end of the Labour-LibDem Executive in Scotland all those years ago, and it will be the sort of action that the new SNP-Green coalition will suffer for.

"Alba stands stands for Scotland, and under Jim’s leadership it will stand up for Inverclyde."