Party unveils Inverclyde shortlist

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

After the sad and untimely passing of David Cairns, the Labour Party has begun the process of selecting a new candidate to stand in the seat of Inverclyde, and tonight the shortlist has been unveiled for the seat, which you can see below.

The selection meeting will take place this Saturday, although the date for the by-election is not yet known. Rumours have circulated suggesting both June 30th, and early September as possible dates.

The shortlist to be Labour’s candidate for Inverclyde is as follows:

Frankie Caldwell – A former soldier, Frankie recently left the army after 27 years service with the Royal Tank Regiment, and was awarded an MBE for his service. Described as passionate and principled, he may not be as experienced as some of the other candidates in the race, but like Dan Jarvis in Barnsley, he could could through the middle of this tight and crowded race to win. Update: Caldwell is also Inverclyde born and bred, in what seems a very local shortlist.

Iain McKenzie – A long serving councillor (and council leader), Mackenzie is considered the favourite and the local candidate. A former head of education on the council he is credited with bringing new schools to the area and is backed by the CLP chair and the MSP. He’s the candidate to beat.

Martin McCluskey – He may be London based at the moment, but McCluskey is Inverclyde born and bred, and joined the local party aged 17. He went on to study at Oxford University (becoming the President of the SU), before becoming an active party member. In his day job, Martin works for a large international volunteering organisation. He’s young, energetic, enthusiastic and bright – and crucially, this is his home seat.

Melanie Ward – A former NUS Scotland President, Ward is also from the local area (although just outside of the constituency). Her “big theme” is showing people that Scottish Labour is listening and is ready to change after the elections in May – no more business as usual. She also has heavyweight backing, with former First Minister Jack McConnell supporting her in the selection race. With only 36 hours until the selection meeting, that kind of big name backing could sway the selection in her favour.

David Whitton – A former MSP (having lost his Strathkelvin and Bearsden seat in May), Whitton is seen as very competent – the archetypal “safe pair of hands”. A Special Adviser for former First Minister Donald Dewar, Whitton is well connected in the party, and could find himself back in elected office at the first attempt.