It was triggered by the death of the incumbent Labour MP, David Cairns on 9 May 2011 of acute pancreatitis.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) came second, and would require a swing of 19.25% to take the seat, and the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives held third and fourth place respectively with 12-14% of the vote share between them.

The Labour Party selected Ian McKenzie a local Councillor since 2003, who has led Inverclyde Council since February 2011 and the only candidate not to have run for any other constituency in the Scottish Election 2011.

The Scottish National Party selected Anne McLaughlin, who was an MSP for the Glasgow regional list from 2009–2011.

The Conservative Party selected David Wilson, a local councillor and deputy provost of Inverclyde.