A FOURTH contender has entered the race to succeed Angus Robertson to become depute leader of the SNP.

Senior councillor Chris McEleny is standing as a candidate for a second time after he came last in the 2016 contest behind Robertson, Tommy Sheppard and Alyn Smith.

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But the SNP group leader on Inverclyde Council believes he can improve on his that and stands by the pitch he made during the contest two years ago to promote the party’s grassroots when he secured just three per cent of the vote.

“In 2016 I stood to make sure local government was at the heart of the debate. The reality though is that Angus Robertson was one greatest politicians of our time and it was that experience our members opted for,” he said. “However this time round I believe that the experience I have gained since then, my left-of-centre beliefs, a position Tommy spoke to the last time round, as well as the work I have been doing since then as a Scottish representative of the EU’s committee of the regions, are all issues that speak to those that voted in the last election. In 2016 I aimed to shape the issues, this time around I aim to so we can get on with the job of taking our message to communities across Scotland.”

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McEleny joins Economy Secretary Keith Brown, Glasgow Cathcart MSP James Dornan and activist Julie Hepburn in the contest. A series of hustings will start next month and the winner will be unveiled at the party’s Aberdeen conference in June.

Speaking to The National, McEleny echoed comments made by the previously declared candidates when he underlined that discussions about how to renew the case for Scottish independence would be a dominant feature of the contest.

“With the Scottish Government focused on improving the lives of our nation and our team of SNP MPs continuing to stand up to the UK Government for the betterment of Scotland, it is up to each and everyone of us make the case for independence and build a new case to deliver independence in our time,” he said. “There are over a 1000 days until the next Scottish Parliament election and there will also be a referendum on Scottish independence. It is for that reason, and my belief that independence will be delivered by winning the hearts and minds of communities across Scotland, I today announce that I will be accepting the nominations of SNP members across Scotland who have humbled me with their support and I will seek election to the office of Depute Leader of the SNP.”

He added: “Many commentators will try and make this election about when should there be a second independence referendum. Naturally we have our own opinions and I still firmly believe that the position of our Leader Nicola Sturgeon – that we will come to a decision in the autumn once the terms of Brexit are clear – is the position that best serves Scotland’s interests.”