Congratulations...

Congratulations to my colleague Iain McKenzie on his election tonight as the new Labour Group Leader.

Having worked with me for the last eight years - four of these as my deputy - Iain is ready to make the step up. He has proved a very able Education Convener and for the last eight months he has held a key position in the local government body COSLA.

Congratulations also to Jim Clocherty on his election as Deputy Labour Group Leader.

Both Iain and Jim received the unanimous backing of the Labour Group. Despite some nonsense to the contrary in a national newspaper, the Labour Group is completely united and focused on the challenges that lie ahead.

I see from the Telegraph today that Lib Dem Leader Alan Blair would like to see a new direction for the Council.

This of course is the same Alan Blair who led the Council for four disastrous years between 2003 and 2007.

Do we really want Alan back running the Council?

Then of course there is SNP Leader Innes Nelson who has been Leader for five minutes and a Councillor for not much longer.

Any independent minded person who thinks that an SNP - Lib Dem led coalition would be good for Inverclyde must be off their head.