Election Name: | 2017 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar election |
Country: | Western Isles |
Type: | parliamentary |
Ongoing: | no |
Previous Election: | 2012 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar election |
Previous Year: | 2012 |
Next Election: | 2022 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar election |
Next Year: | 2022 |
Seats For Election: | All 31 seats to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar |
Majority Seats: | 16 |
Image1: | Ind |
Leader1: | Roddie MacKay |
Party1: | Independent (politician) |
Leaders Seat1: | Steòrnabhagh a Tuath |
Seats Before1: | 21 |
Seats1: | 23 |
Seat Change1: | 2 |
Popular Vote1: | 9,248 |
Percentage1: | 77.5% |
Swing1: | 5.9% |
Leader2: | Donald Manford |
Party2: | Scottish National Party |
Leaders Seat2: | Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eirisgeigh agus Uibhist a Deas |
Seats Before2: | 7 |
Seats2: | 7 |
Popular Vote2: | 2,287 |
Percentage2: | 19.2% |
Swing2: | 4.7% |
Image3: | Con |
Leader3: | Ranald Fraser |
Party3: | Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party |
Leaders Seat3: | Sgìr' Ùige agus Carlabhagh |
Last Election3: | N/A |
Seats Before3: | 0 |
Seats3: | 1 |
Seat Change3: | 1 |
Popular Vote3: | 402 |
Percentage3: | 3.4% |
Swing3: | New |
Council Leader | |
Before Election: | Angus Campbell |
Before Party: | Independent (politician) |
Posttitle: | Council Leader after election |
After Election: | Roddie MacKay |
After Party: | Independent (politician) |
Elections to gd|'''Comhairle nan Eilean Siar'''|Council of the Western Isles were held on 4 May 2017, the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections. As with other Scottish council elections, it was held using single transferable vote (STV) – a form of proportional representation – in which multiple candidates are elected in each ward and voters rank candidates in order of preference.
As with previous elections in the area, independent councillors retained a large majority of the seats on the council and retained control of the administration. No women were elected for the first time in the council's history, resulting in it becoming Scotland's only local authority without any female representation.[1]
Source: [2]
Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes. The net gain/loss and percentage changes compare with the previous Scottish local elections on 3 May 2007. These figures may differ from other published sources showing gains/losses in comparison with the seats held at the dissolution of the council in 2012.
The SNP retained the seat they had won at the previous election and gained one seat while independent candidates Iain MacNeil and Paul Steele also gained a seat. Former independent councillors David Blaney, Donnie Steele and Labour who did not contest the election. In 2012, independent candidate Ronald MacKinnon was elected as a Labour candidate.
Independent councillor Uisdean Robertson retained the seat he had won at the previous election while independent candidates Iain MacLeod and Roddy MacKay gained seats from former independent councillor Neil Beaton and Labour who did not contest the election. In 2015, former independent councillor Andrew Walker was elected in a by-election.
The SNP retained the seat they had won at the previous election while independent candidates Finlay Cunningham and Paul Finnegan gained a seat from former independent councillor Catherine MacDonald and Labour who did not contest the election. In 2012, independent candidate D. J. MacRae was elected as a Labour candidate.
Independent councillor Norman MacDonald retained the seat he had won at the previous election while the Conservatives and independent councillor Angus Morrison gained a seat from the SNP and former independent councillor Cudig MacLeod. In 2012, former Cllr Morrison was elected in a by-election.
Independent councillor Alasdair MacLeod retained the seat he had won at the previous election while independent candidates Norrie MacDonald and Finlay Stewart gained a seat from former independent councillors Zena Stewart and Norman MacLeod.
The SNP as well as independent councillors Charlie Nicolson and Angus McCormack retained the seats they had won at the previous election while independent candidate Keith Dodson gained a seat from former independent councillor Angus Campbell.
The SNP as well as independent councillors Roddie MacKay and Iain MacAulay retained the seats they had won at the previous election while independent candidate Neil MacKay gained a seat from former independent councillor Iain MacKenzie.
The SNP as well as independent councillor Donald Crichton retained the seats they had two at the previous election while independent candidate Calum MacLean gained a seat from former independent councillor Catriona Stewart.
The SNP as well as independent councillor John MacKay retained the seats they had won at the previous election while independent candidates John N. MacLeod and Kenny J. MacLeod gained a seat from former independent councillors Iain Morrison and Kenneth Murray. In 2015, Alistair MacLennan and Cllr MacLeod were elected in separate by-elections.
On 23 July 2020, Na Hearadh agus Ceann a Deas nan Loch Independent Councillor Finlay Cunningham stepped down from the Council. A by-election to replace him was held on 8 October 2020 and was won by Independent candidate Grant Fulton.[3]
Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay and South Uist
Benbecula and North Uist
Mid Lewis
Eye Peninsula (locally known as "Point")
Stornoway South
Stornoway North
North West Lewis (West Side & Ness)