Candidates and Constituency Assessments

''Winning the Calcutta Cup is yet another SNP inspired attempt to artificially engender a dispute with Westminster.' David Cairns, junior minister in charge of paper clips at the North British Office claimed last night that it was the height of bad manners for some Scotland supporters to cheer widely at the news of England's latest rugby defeat. He went on to say that these obnoxious cheering supporters represented only a small minority of Scottish public opinion and that of course, the vast majority of hard working, right thinking loyal unionist Scots would be grieving as much as Johnny Wilkinson and Co at this latest blow to the prestige of the nation.' Bully Wee Alba in the Sunday Herald, 9 th March 2008.

Inverclyde

Candidates

	Laura Goodchild
	Conservative & Unionist
	Laura Goodchild was born in Derbyshire and educated at Loughborough High School, before moving to Lancashire to study English, Spanish and Politics at Lancaster University. It was during her time at university that she became more involved in the Conservative Party, helping in the 2001 General Election where the local Conservative candidate lost by just 481 votes. She moved to Edinburgh in 2005 to work for the Conservatives. As Agent for David McLetchie, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, in the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections, she was very pleased to see David returned to Parliament with a more than doubled majority. She now works in Public Relations. Outwith her work she enjoys rugby union Ð supporting Edinburgh and Leicester Ð cycling and running on the Water of Leith, and spending time with her friends and family. Recent electoral experience.
	Father David Cairns MP
	Labour
	Ministerial Posts: Recent electoral experience 1998 - 2002 London Burgh of Merton Council election (elected)
	Who?
	Liberal Democrat
	Recent electoral experience
	Who?
	Scottish National Party
	Recent electoral experience

Notional 2001 result

Logo	Party	Denver			Baxter
		Votes	%		Votes	%
	Labour	19,555	50.22 %		19,761	50.61 %
	Liberal Democrat	8,241	21.17 %		8,131	20.82 %
	Scottish National Party	5,453	14.01 %		5,452	13.96 %
	Conservative & Unionist	4,211	10.82 %		4,253	10.89 %
	Scottish Socialist Party	1,475	3.79 %		1,451	3.72 %
Notional Labour win	Notional Labour majority	11,314	29.06 %		11,630	29.78 %