Elections to 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.
Election result
Source:
Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes. The net gain/loss and percentage changes compare with the previous Scottish local elections on 3 May 2012. 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.
Ward results Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eirisgeigh agus Uibhist a Deas 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.
Beinn na Foghla agus Uibhist a Tuath 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.
Na Hearadh agus Ceann a Deas nan Loch 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.
Sgir' Uige agus Ceann a Tuath nan Loch 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.
Sgìre an Rubha 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.
Steòrnabhagh a Deas 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.
Steòrnabhagh a Tuath 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.
Loch a Tuath 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.
An Taobh Siar agus Nis 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.
Changes since 2017 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.
Ward areas in English
Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eirisgeigh agus Uibhist a Deas (ward): Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay and South Uist Beinn na Foghla agus Uibhist a Tuath (ward): Benbecula and North Uist Na Hearadh agus Ceann a Deas Nan Loch (ward): Harris and South Lewis Sgir' Uige agus Ceann a Tuath Nan Loch (ward): Mid Lewis Sgire an Rubha (ward): Eye Peninsula (locally known as "Point") Steòrnabhagh a Deas (ward): Stornoway South Steòrnabhagh a Tuath (ward): Stornoway North Loch a Tuath (ward): Broad Bay An Taobh Siar agus Nis (ward): North West Lewis (West Side & Ness)
References
External links Council website Candidates list