THE election campaign has kicked off in Inverclyde with rival candidates setting out their pitches to become the area's next MP.

Voters will go to the polls on July 4 following Rishi Sunak's surprise announcement of a summer contest in Downing Street on Wednesday evening.

Candidates who will battle it out for the new Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West seat have been wasting no time in promoting their priorities.

Key topics likely to feature prominently in the run-up to polling day include the recent cut to Inverclyde's GP out of hours service, the cost of living crisis and its impact on local families, Scottish independence, and jobs and infrastructure. 

Inverclyde's current representative at Westminster, the SNP's Ronnie Cowan, said the general election had been a 'long time coming'. 

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He told the Tele it had been an 'enormous privilege' to serve the district over the past nine years, and added that he 'fully intends' to hold onto his seat.

Mr Cowan added: "I am proud of the contribution my office has made. 

"I have learned a tremendous amount which I have used to the benefit of this community. 

"I shall embrace the opportunity that elections provide, to make the case for me as the MP and for Scotland as an independent nation."

Mr Cowan said Brexit has brought 'misery for our businesses, both large and small, and more misery for families facing hikes in prices'. 

He added: "This Tory government has brought only Brexit, hardship, austerity and economic chaos.

"Now is the time to increase the pressure and face up to Westminster after the Tories' 14 years of abject failure.

"Only the SNP can do that at a party level and I shall work hard and diligently to gain that opportunity."

Greenock Telegraph: Martin McCluskey has been elected as a councillor for Gourock
Scottish Labour's Martin McCluskey will be the main challenger in the race and he has pledged to 'speak up for local NHS services'.

The Gourock councillor says he will put rebuilding the local economy and increasing family incomes 'at the heart' of his work if he is elected at the third attempt.

Mr McCluskey said: "This election is the chance to change our country and our community for the better.

"For more than a decade, Tory and SNP governments have left our community behind. 

"Decisions made by the Tory government have made people across our area poorer, while SNP decisions have left us without vital local NHS services, such as the GP out-of-hours service.

"We can’t go on like this.

"Labour has a plan to grow our economy, create local jobs and invest in our NHS. 

"People in Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West can elect me as their Labour MP to be part of a Labour government. 

"Only a vote for Scottish Labour on July 4 guarantees the change we need."

Alba Party candidate Chris McEleny claims that they are now the 'natural home' for independence supporters. 

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Mr McEleny led the SNP group at the council between 2013-20, before quitting the party in 2021. He said he left because of the SNP 'abandoning the campaign for Scottish independence'.

He says the general election will give the people of Inverclyde the 'opportunity to bypass Westminster's referendum veto by using elections to secure a mandate for independence'.

Mr McEleny added: "Alba has emerged as the only party seeking an independence mandate at each and every election. 

"On July 4, the people of Inverclyde have the opportunity to vote for me to declare we will not accept a Westminster veto over our right to self-determination, and that we have voted for Scotland to be an independent country. 

"If we work hard then Alba can make a big impact for independence in the coming election."

Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate Ross Stalker meanwhile pledged to fight to give the people of Inverclyde a 'fair deal'. 

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He said he would be a 'champion for the community' and 'work for the change that we sorely need'. 

Mr Stalker added: "I'll fight for investment in jobs and infrastructure that people can depend on, while removing the vindictiveness that the Conservatives have woven into the benefits system.

"There was a time when you knew that you would be able to see your GP, when your local dentist still offered NHS care, and when Scottish education was world-leading.

"Alongside the SNP’s mismanagement of our public services, the Conservative approach to the economy widens inequality. 

"Scottish Liberal Democrats want to bring people back together, putting Scotland at the heart of a reformed UK and fixing our broken relationship with Europe."

The Scottish Conservatives are expected to announce their Inverclyde candidate in the coming days.

The Telegraph also approached Reform Party Scotland candidate Dr Catherine McCall, and Scottish Greens for comment.