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
4
3
1
Popular vote
8,211
2,733
523
Percentage
71.6%
23.8%
4.6%
Swing
7.2
11.7
2.1
Map of council wards
Council Leader before election
Angus Campbell Independent
Council Leader after election
Angus Campbell Independent
Elections to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) were held on 3 May 2012, the same day as the other Scottish local governmentelections. 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.
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.
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[]
Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eirisgeigh agus Uibhist a Deas[]
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
† 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 2014. 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[]
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
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
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
Green
Gavin MacLeod Humphreys
5.8%
59
Ward areas in English[]
Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eirisgeigh agus Uibhist a Deas: Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay and South Uist
Beinn Na Foghla agus Uibhist a Tuath: Benbecula and North Uist
Na Hearadh agus Ceann a Deas Nan Loch: Harris and South Lewis