THE father of Inverclyde SNP group leader Chris McEleny is to join him on the campaign trail after being selected to stand for council.

Jim McEleny, 56, aims to enter local politics five years after his 30-year-old son, who is seeking re-election in Gourock.

Chris, who was beaten to the SNP deputy leadership role by Angus Robertson last summer, told our sister paper the Greenock Telegraph: “Over the years I think I followed my dad into every walk of life possible, whether it was being a goalkeeper, serving an apprenticeship at the same place nearly 30 years apart, and of course, in the trade union movement.

“I am really delighted he is now hoping to follow me into politics.”

He went on: “Over the years his advice has been invaluable and I think his experience would be really good, not just for the people he would represent but actually within the council helping to deliver the ambitious programme the SNP have to invest in education, protect vital public services and work towards solutions for problems our area still has.”

The pair are thought to be the first father-and-son duo to stand in the area. he 20-member council is currently led by a minority Labour administration headed by Councillor Stephen McCabe, with the SNP the second largest group, followed by the LibDems, independents and one Tory.

Jim, who is campaigning in the ward three area, which covers the east end of Greenock, Broomhill and Overton, said: “My motivation is to play my part in helping improve my community and Inverclyde for the better.

“For most of my working life I have been a trade union representative. Helping people to protect their working conditions and representing them in the workplace has always been a vocation to me. I believe this and my experience as a listening volunteer in a locally-based national charity have equipped me with the experience that I can use to represent people in Greenock well.”