The Tory candidate is Philip Lardner. He grew up in Inchinnan and was educated at Renfrew High School. His father was born locally in Saltcoats. Philip ran a small business in Linwood, before studying law at Glasgow University, and then becoming a primary school teacher in Erskine. He served in the Territorial Army for 5 years, and stood as a candidate for Renfrewshire Council in 1999 and 2003. He supports an extension to Hunterston B's licence until a replacement C Station can, and should be built. He is also categoric about opposing all windfarm developments within Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. He maintains that Nuclear, combined with new Hydro-Electric schemes should be Scotland's answer to future energy and water requirements. However, small-scale development of renewables should be encouraged in isolated areas, if the local population are supportive.
In June 2008 he was suspended after being accused of racism following his portrayal of the late Ian Smith, the former leader of white rule Rhodesia, as a hero. In September the Scottish Tories stated: "The party candidates board, having investigated the matter fully, has now removed the suspension from Mr Lardner and he is now reinstated and has the full support of both the party and the local Conservative and Unionist Party Association as our candidate for the Westminster constituency of North Ayrshire and Arran."
In October 2008, the pro-nuclear Larder was again causing controversy by attacking sustainable energy and claiming that the link between carbon emissions and global warming was being exaggerated by "doom sayers" and a self-interested "climate change lobby". Duncan McLaren, chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: "Lardner's comments are clearly ill-informed. David Cameron argues that tackling climate change is a massive job- creation opportunity for our economy."
Recent electoral experience.
2007 Scottish Parliament election, Cunninghame North, 5,466 votes (18.07 %)
2007 Scottish Parliament election, Third on Tory West of Scotland list, 40,637 votes (15.15 %)
2005 Westminster election, Paisley & Renfrewshire North, 5,566 votes (13.61 %)
1999 Renfrewshire Council election, Erskine South & Inchinnan, 437 votes (19.68 %)
1999 Renfrewshire Council election, Parkmains, 354 votes (17.17 %)
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