2012 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar election

Elections to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) were held on 3 May 2012, the same day as the other Scottish local government elections. The election was the second one using the 9 wards created as a result of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004.[1] Each ward elected three or four Councillors using the single transferable vote system: a form of proportional representation. A total of 31 Councillors were elected.

2012 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar election

← 2007 3 May 2012 (2012-05-03) 2017 →

All 31 seats to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
16 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Angus Campbell Donald Manford Archie K. Campbell
Party Independent SNP Labour
Leader's seat Steòrnabhagh a Deas Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eirisgeigh agus Uibhist a Deas Beinn Na Foghla agus Uibhist a Tuath
Last election 25 seats, 80.6% 4 seats, 12.9% 2 seats, 6.5%
Seats before 25 5 1
Seats won 21 7 3
Seat change Decrease4 Increase3 Increase1
Popular vote 8,211 2,733 523
Percentage 71.6% 23.8% 4.6%
Swing Decrease7.2% Increase11.7% Decrease2.1%

Map of council wards

Council Leader before election

Angus Campbell
Independent

Council Leader after election

Angus Campbell
Independent

Independent councillors retained the large majority of seats on the council and retained control of the administration. The Scottish National Party increased their representation, gaining 4 seats on the Isle of Lewis while losing 1 seat on Barra. The Scottish Labour Party also gained an additional seat.

Election result edit

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Local Election Result 2012
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Independent 21 1 5  4 67.7 71.6 8,211  7.2
  SNP 7 4 1  3 22.6 23.8 2,733  11.7
  Labour 3 2 1  1 9.7 4.6 523  2.1

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes. The net gain/loss and percentage changes relate to the result of the previous Scottish local elections on 3 May 2007. This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at dissolution of Scotland's councils.

Ward results edit

Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eirisgeigh agus Uibhist a Deas edit

  • 2007: 2xSNP; 2xIndependent
  • 2012: 2xIndependent; 1xSNP; 1xLab
  • 2007-2012 Change: Lab gain one seat from SNP
Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eirisgeigh agus Uibhist a Deas – 4 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SNP Donald Manford (incumbent) 37.43% 521                  
Labour Ronald Joseph MacKinnon 15.09% 210 226.3 228.7 234.7 242.8 263.8 292.6      
Independent Donnie Steele 9.41% 131 142.6 144.6 150.6 155.9 179.4 200.8 204.1 222.2 263.6
Independent Calum MacMillan 8.84% 123 144.4 147.8 150.3 152.2 156.2 165.2 166.5 192.9  
Independent David Blaney (incumbent) 8.48% 118 135.2 139.2 142.2 147.7 157.6 183.8 185.9 201.3 247.9
Independent Peter Carlin (incumbent) 6.47% 90 103 105 106 108.4 114.4        
Independent Calum MacAulay 5.17% 72 76.2 76.2 77.2 81.1          
SNP Gerry MacLeod (incumbent) 3.95% 55 135.8 135.8 135.8 143.5 146.5 154.3 155.1    
Independent Allan MacLeod 2.01% 28 51.7 52.7 53.2            
Independent Angus MacDonald 1.94% 27 27.9 27.9              
Independent Eric Wallis 1.22% 17 17.9                
Electorate: 2,510   Valid: 1,392   Spoilt: 30   Quota: 279   Turnout: 1,424 (55.46)%  

Beinn Na Foghla agus Uibhist a Tuath edit

  • 2007: 2xIndependent; 1xLab
  • 2012: 2xIndependent; 1xLab
  • 2007: No change
Beinn Na Foghla agus Uibhist a Tuath – 3 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6
Independent Uisdean Robertson (incumbent) 29.34% 316          
Independent Neil MacDonald Beaton 19.67% 212 222.6 241.1 263.5 264.0 359.7
Labour Archie K. Campbell (incumbent)††† 18.94% 204 224.4 241.5 271.5    
SNP Andrew Walker 16.43% 177 181.2 186.5 219.7 219.9  
Independent Martin Taylor (incumbent) 8.64% 93 97.2 111.5      
Independent Michael MacLean 6.96% 75 76.3        
Electorate: 2,329   Valid: 1,077   Spoilt: 25   Quota: 270   Turnout: 1,102 (46.24)%  

Na Hearadh agus Ceann a Deas Nan Loch edit

  • 2007: 2xIndependent; 1xSNP
  • 2012: 1xIndependent; 1xSNP; 1xLab
  • 2007-2012 Change: Lab gain one seat from Independent
Na Hearadh agus Ceann a Deas Nan Loch – 3 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4
Independent Catherine MacDonald (incumbent) 62.09% 498      
SNP Philip Robert MacLean (incumbent) 25.19% 202      
Labour D.J. MacRae 8.6% 69 163.8 163.9 193.5
SNP David Cameron Wilson 4.11% 33 105.2 105.8  
Electorate: 1,922   Valid: 802   Spoilt: 18   Quota: 201   Turnout: 830 (41.73)%  

Sgir' Uige agus Ceann a Tuath Nan Loch edit

  • 2007: 1xSNP; 1xIndependent; 1xLab
  • 2012: 2xIndependent; 1xSNP
  • 2007-2012 Change: Independent gain one seat from Lab
Sgir' Uige agus Ceann a Tuath Nan Loch
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Independent Norman Alexander MacDonald (incumbent) 21.62% 315 321 340 355 364.0    
SNP Bill Houston 20.37% 292 297 313 401      
Independent Cudig MacLeod 16.25% 233 240 307 339 348.9 350.3 521.8
Independent Catherine MacIver 15.97% 229 238 253 278 284.2 285.5  
SNP Annie MacDonald (incumbent) 11.99% 172 176 185        
Independent Norman A. P. MacDonald 10.25% 147 152          
Independent Barry Shelby 3.21% 46            
Electorate: 2,424   Valid: 1,434   Spoilt: 23   Quota: 359   Turnout: 1,457 (60.11)%  

Sgire an Rubha edit

  • 2007: 3xIndependent
  • 2012: 3xIndependent
  • 2007-2012 Change: No change
Sgire an Rubha – 3 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Independent Zena Stewart 17.52% 205 238 276 316      
Independent Alasdair MacLeod 17.52% 205 219 242 291 297.8    
Independent Donald John MacSween (incumbent) 15.13% 177 187 200 227 230.3 231.7  
Independent Norman MacLeod (incumbent) 15.04% 176 186 202 252 256.2 257.6 349.0
Independent Donald Nicholson (incumbent) 14.44% 169 183 197        
SNP John Norman MacDonald 12.05% 141 149          
Independent Iain Don MacIver 8.29% 97            
Electorate: 1,921   Valid: 1,170   Spoilt: 19   Quota: 293   Turnout: 1,189 (60.91)%  

Steòrnabhagh a Deas edit

  • 2007: 4xIndependent
  • 2012: 3xIndependent; 1xSNP
  • 2007-2012 Change: SNP gain one seat from Independent
Steòrnabhagh a Deas – 4 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Independent Charlie Nicolson (incumbent) 45.67% 685            
Independent Angus Campbell (incumbent) 13.73% 206 287.8 288.8 290.5 311.5    
Independent Angus McCormack (incumbent) 12.6% 189 298.9 306.2        
Independent Keith Dodson (incumbent) 11.4% 171 230.9 233.1 234.0 247.3 251.7  
SNP Rae MacKenzie 9.67% 145 203.9 253.1 254.1 268.9 270.5 365.9
SNP Bob Duncan 3.8% 57 63.7          
Independent Uilleam Macleod 3.13% 47 66.1 67.1 67.5      
Electorate: 2,962   Valid: 1,500   Spoilt: 26   Quota: 301   Turnout: 1,526 (50.65)%  

Steòrnabhagh a Tuath edit

  • 2007: 4xIndependent
  • 2012: 3xIndependent; 1xSNP
  • 2007-2012 Change: SNP gain one seat from Independent
Steòrnabhagh a Tuath – 4 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Independent Iain MacKenzie (incumbent) 20.68% 299                
Independent Roddie MacKay (incumbent) 18.12% 262 264.1 272.1 294.1          
SNP Mohammed Ahmed 12.17% 176 176.4 179.5 182.5 182.8 194.9 207.1 218.2  
SNP Gordon Murray 12.03% 174 174.7 180.7 192.7 193.2 208.4 228.7 251.1 358.4
Independent Murdo Murray 8.30% 120 121.8 123.8 128.4 129.4 142.6 160.9    
Independent Iain MacLean MacAulay 7.12% 103 103.5 109.6 117.7 118.4 145.7 177.3 221.9 249.0
Independent David Morrison 6.36% 92 93.1 97.1 104.1 104.8        
Independent Neil Campbell (incumbent) 6.29% 91 91.5 92.5            
Independent Jackie MacKay (incumbent) 6.15% 89 89.8 95.8 108.1 108.8 123.2      
Labour Kevin Paterson 2.77% 40 40.2              
Electorate: 2,986   Valid: 1,446   Spoilt: 25   Quota: 290   Turnout: 1,471 (48.42)%  

Loch a Tuath edit

  • 2007: 3xIndependent
  • 2012: 2xIndependent; 1xSNP
  • 2007-2012 Change: SNP gain one seat from Independent
Loch a Tuath – 3 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4
Independent Donald Finlayson Crichton 28.0% 331      
SNP John A. MacIver (incumbent) 24.53% 290 298.4    
Independent Catriona Stewart (incumbent) 23.88% 273 282.5 283.1 333.1
Independent Kenneth MacIver (incumbent) 14.47% 171 177.9 178.5 201.8
Independent Alasdair Nicholson 9.9% 117 122.1 122.7  
Electorate: 2,166   Valid: 1,182   Spoilt: 17   Quota: 296   Turnout: 1,199 (54.57%)  

An Taobh Siar agus Nis edit

  • 2007: 4xIndependent
  • 2012: 3xIndependent; 1xSNP
  • 2007-2012 Change: SNP gain one seat from Independent
An Taobh Siar agus Nis – 4 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2
Independent Iain Morrison (incumbent)†††† 24.18% 354  
Independent John MacKay (incumbent) 21.17% 310  
SNP Kenneth MacLeod 20.36% 298  
Independent Kenneth MacLeod Murray (incumbent) †† 19.74% 289 316.4
Independent Alastair MacLennan 8.13% 119 128.3
Independent Alastair Dunlop 6.42% 94 103.3
Electorate: 2,599   Valid: 1,464   Spoilt: 21   Quota: 293   Turnout: 1,485 (56.34%)  

Changes since election edit

  • † Sgir' Uige Agus Ceann A Tuath Nan Loch SNP Cllr Bill Houston died on 15 September 2012. A by-election was held on 29 November 2012 and was won by the Independent Angus MacDonald Morrison.[2]
  • †† Sgir' An Taobh Siar agus Nis Independent Cllr Kenneth MacLeod Murray died on 23 December 2014.[3] A by-election was to be held to fill the vacancy on 12 March 2015. Only Independent Alistair MacLennan was nominated and was deemed elected.[4]
  • ††† Beinn Na Foghla Agus Uibhist A Tuath Labour Cllr Archie K. McDonald resigned due to health reasons on 25 January 2015.[5] A by-election was held to fill the vacancy on 26 March 2015 and the seat was won by the Independent Andrew Walker.
  • †††† Sgir' An Taobh Siar agus Nis Independent Cllr Iain Morrison died on 31 July 2015 after a battle with cancer.[6] A by-election was held to fill the vacancy on 7 October 2015 and was won by the Independent John MacLeod.[7]

By-elections since 2012 edit

Sgir’ Uige Agus Ceann A Tuath Nan Loch By-election (29 November 2012) – 1 Seat[8]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1
Independent Angus MacDonald Morrison 73.47 745
SNP John Norman MacDonald 19.23 195
Independent Les Mac An Ultaigh 7.2 73
Valid: 1,014   Spoilt: 14   Quota: 508   Turnout: 1,028  
Beinn Na Faoghla Agus Uibhist A Tuath (26 March 2015) – 1 Seat[9]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1
Independent Andrew Walker 59.1 437
SNP Roslyn Macpherson 40.9 302
Valid: 739   Quota:  
An Taobh Siar agus Nis By-election (7 October 2015) – 1 Seat[10]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1
Independent John Norman MacLeod 86.9% 886
Independent Richard Froggatt 7.4% 75
Scottish Green Gavin MacLeod Humphreys 5.8% 59
Valid: 1,020   Quota: 511   Turnout: (39.8%)  

Ward areas in English edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Corporate Services – Election Office". Archived from the original on 20 May 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2008.
  2. ^ "Western Isles councillor Bill Houston dies suddenly at home on Lewis | Highlands & Islands | News | STV". news.stv.tv. 15 September 2012. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012.
  3. ^ "Tribute paid to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar councillor". BBC. 23 December 2014.
  4. ^ "No poll after one candidate stands in Western Isles ward". BBC. 10 February 2015.
  5. ^ "Uist councillor calls it a day". whfp.com. 25 January 2015. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015.
  6. ^ "Death of local councillor". hebrides-news.com.
  7. ^ "Election Office – By-Election Taobh Siar Agus Nis – 7 October 2015". cne-siar.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  8. ^ "Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – Election Office". cne-siar.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013.
  9. ^ "Two candidates for North Uist and Benbecula by-election – Am Paipear". ampaipear.org.uk. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015.
  10. ^ "Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – 2015 Press Releases". cne-siar.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 12 April 2017.

External links edit