Gourock by-election candidates: Why you should vote for me

Voters across Gourock - or Inverclyde West, as it's officially known - will go to the polls on Thursday, November 7 to elect a new councillor, to serve alongside independent Lynne Quinn and the SNP's Sandra Reynolds, representing Ward 5 in the council chamber.

The by-election was called after Labour's Martin McCluskey stood down earlier this year following his election as MP for Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West.

READ MORE: Inverclyde's new MP steps down as councillor for Gourock ward

Polling stations at Cardwell Bay Sailing Club, the Gamble Halls, the Coppermine Community Centre, Gourock Golf Club, Gourock Bowling Club, and the Royal Gourock Yacht Club will be open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday.

The Tele asked all five candidates to set out their stall to the ward's voters ahead of the big day - and here, in alphabetical order by surname, is what each of them had to say.

John Burleigh (Reform UK)

Just when you thought you’d seen the last of ma bunnet and me…along came Reform.

Only Reform will stand up for British culture, identity and values. Restore law and order. Repair our broken public services, dilapidated buildings and infrastructure. Cut taxes to make work pay. End government waste. Slash energy bills. Unlock real economic growth.

John Burleigh, Reform UK (Image: Contributed) ‘The wheels of democracy and justice turn slowly’, especially when one is heading home in the evening around Battery Park and traffic is at a standstill. This needn’t be so.

Industry could get a boost if we helped give people a ‘leg-up’ with a ‘free bus pass for all’ to get them to their work or look for employment on the electric buses keeping clean air and reducing congestion.

The benefit of having a continental cruise car ferry service would be a ‘lifeline for Scotland’ and really boost the economy bringing growth to tourism, trade and transport. Cardwell Bay is a natural resource with huge untapped potential.

I am not a career politician. I was a technical teacher at St Columba’s High School for 15 years and a voluntary port chaplain. I like to think I know Gourock and feel I can contribute to make modest prudent improvements.

I’m a practical ‘ideas’ man and was impressed by the new walking and cycle track being laid between Kip Marina and Lunderston Bay. Small simple improvements which greatly benefit everyone.

If you share my belief that Reform would benefit and transform Gourock then please vote me in.

Ian Hellyer (Labour)

This week marks an important choice for Gourock, and one I hope people will make to elect me as councillor for Gourock.

I spent 30 years in Strathclyde Police with 12 of those in community policing in Gourock. My career has been spent listening to and helping the people of Gourock, understanding the issues that matter to them and helping maintain and respect the community we live in.

Ian Hellyer, Labour (Image: Contributed) This is something I am very proud to have been a part of. These ties continued into my role as a driving instructor and examiner in recent years. I found it hugely fulfilling teaching people vital driver safety life skills that can have a profound impact on their lives.

I want to bring the sense of public service and duty I gained over my working life to the role of councillor. Gourock has so much to offer, with great schools, green spaces and a bustling high street, and I would be proud to represent Ward 5 on Inverclyde Council.

My priorities remain true to what Gourock needs for it to continue to be the place we all know and love. Investment in the coastline and green spaces is essential to maintaining and preserving its beauty and place in our community.

More funding is required to help the regeneration of our town centre, particularly Shore Street, and making sure we have the best resources to make our public services in the area the very best they can be.

Robert Kirkpatrick (SNP)

I’m Robert Kirkpatrick, your SNP candidate for Gourock’s by-election on Thursday.

I live in Gourock and it’s where I raise my family, so I know first hand the positives and challenges within our community.

Robert Kirkpatrick, Scottish National Party (Image: Contributed) If elected, I will be another strong voice for our area and will focus on the priorities that matter to the people of Gourock.

Whilst talking to voters during the campaign, many local issues have been highlighted, including protecting local amenities, improving our streetscape and getting our fair share of investment within Inverclyde.

Many government issues have also been raised included the Labour UK Government scrapping the Winter Fuel Payment for our senior citizens.

Having worked in both the prison and police services, then fulfilling my dream of owning my own business within Inverclyde – for the last 17 years I have owned and operated Ardgowan Trout Fishery – I now want to share my experience of working with and serving the public to benefit our community. If elected I would fight just as hard for the smaller issues as I would the bigger ones.

As a Gourock resident, a vote for me is a vote for Gourock. I’m asking you to elect me on Thursday so we can work together to improve our already beautiful town.

Vote No. 1 for Robert Kirkpatrick.

Chris McEleny (Alba)

I don’t need 250 words to tell you why you should vote for me; I only need these five key points. 

First, a vote for me is a vote for a 5 per cent council tax cut.

Chris McEleny, Alba (Image: George Munro) Second, a vote for Labour, the SNP or the Tories is a vote for the 7.5 per cent council tax increase they’ve already planned to implement next year. 

Third, I am the only candidate campaigning against Labour’s decision to axe the Winter Fuel Payment and the SNP’s decision sadly to pass the cut on to one million pensioners in Scotland. A vote for me is a vote for my fully costed plan to use the millions of pounds of council reserves to protect the finances of Gourock pensioners.

Fourth, don’t vote for me if you think Inverclyde Council is being run well. I’m the only candidate demanding the council gets its act together and gets on with its day job of running services that are fit for purpose. All other candidates are promising more of the same. 

Finally, I spent ten years learning from and watching how Ronnie Ahlfeld delivered for Gourock. I want to work with independent councillor Lynne Quinn to continue building on that legacy.

Ted Runciman (Conservative)

Inverclyde has been one of the most deprived areas of Scotland for many years and Gourock deserves a councillor who will stand up for the needs of its residents and not the political dogma of majority parties.

My recent survey of what matters most to residents tells me a different story. The real priorities are GP services and the NHS, the state of the roads and pavements, crime and anti-social behaviour, public transport and job opportunities.

Ted Runciman, Conservative (Image: George Munro) Your number one priority is the NHS and GP services, and I will strive to retain the vital services at IRH and stop services being moved to Paisley which adds to the cost for families having to travel to visit. I’ll also engage with local health centres as to why, since Covid lockdowns, it is so difficult to get an appointment.

The council must increase their budget for the repair of potholes in roads and pavements.

While welcoming any increase in police numbers we need to see the visibility of the police on the beat and take a tougher line with anti-social behaviour.

I’ll pressure McGill’s to improve local bus services to Gourock town centre, Greenock and the IRH.

Improving job opportunities is also a priority, however the Labour government’s budget increases to the minimum wage by three times inflation and the increase in employers’ NI contributions is detrimental to companies who may have been considering taking on new staff. However, I would work to encourage businesses to set up their operations in Gourock.

After the polls have closed, the votes will not be counted overnight; instead, they'll be taken to the Municipal Buildings in Greenock, where counting will begin at 10am on Friday.

A result is expected by around midday.