# 2022 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar election

Elections to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Scottish Gaelic for 'Council of the Western Isles') took place on 5 May 2022 on the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections. As with other Scottish council elections, it was held using the single transferable vote (STV) system – a form of proportional representation – in which multiple candidates are elected in each ward, and voters rank candidates in order of preference.
The election was the first to use the nine wards created under the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 which allowed for single- and dual-member wards, with 29 councillors being elected.
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. The election also saw the first two female councillors elected to the council since 2012.

## Background
### Previous election

At the previous election in 2017, independent councillors retained control of the council after taking a large majority of seats (23 out of 31). The Scottish National Party (SNP) took seven seats, an increase of one, and the Conservatives won their first-ever representation on the council.
2017 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar election result :
| Party | Seats | Vote share |
| Independents | 23 | 77.5% |
| SNP | 7 | 19.2% |
| Conservatives | 1 | 3.4% |
Source:

### Electoral system

Local elections in Scotland use the single transferable vote (STV) electoral system – a form of proportional representation – in which voters rank candidates in order of preference. The 2022 election was the first to use the 11 wards created under the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, with 29 councillors being elected. Each ward elected either two, three or four members.

### Composition

Since the previous election, there were two changes in the council's composition. SNP councillor Calum MacMillan defected to the Alba Party and independent councillor Roddy MacKay joined the Greens. A single by-election was held and resulted in an independent hold.
| Party | 2017 result | Dissolution |
| Independents | 23 | 22 |
| SNP | 7 | 6 |
| Conservative | 1 | 1 |
| Green | 0 | 1 |
| Alba | N/A | 1 |

### Retiring councillors

| Ward | Party | Retiring councillor |
| Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eirisgeigh agus Uibhist a Deas | SNP | Donald Manford |
| Sgir' Uige agus Ceann a Tuath nan Loch | Independent | Norman A. MacDonald |
| Sgìre an Rubha | Independent | Alasdair MacLeod |
| Steòrnabhagh a Deas | Independent | Keith Dodson |
| Steòrnabhagh a Tuath | Independent | Neil MacKay |
| Steòrnabhagh a Tuath | Independent | Roddie MacKay |
| An Taobh Siar agus Nis | Independent | John MacKay |
| An Taobh Siar agus Nis | Independent | Kenny J. MacLeod |
Source:

### Boundary changes

Following the implementation of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, a review of the boundaries was undertaken in North Ayrshire, Argyll and Bute, Highland, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands and the Western Isles. The act allowed for single- or two-member wards to be created to allow for better representation of island communities. As a result, the number wards was increased from nine to 11 but the number of councillors was reduced from 31 to 29. The An Taobh Siar agus Nis ward was the only ward to remain with the same boundaries but the number of councillors was reduced from four to three. There were changes to the boundaries for the Loch a Tuath, Sgìre an Rubha, Steòrnabhagh a Tuath and Steòrnabhagh a Deas wards but the number of councillors remained the same for each except Sgìre an Rubha which was reduced to two seats. New dual-member wards were created for Barraigh agus Bhatarsaigh, Na Hearadh, Sgìr' Ùige agus Carlabhagh, Sgìre nan Loch and Uibhist a Tuath.

### Candidates

The total number of candidates fell from 60 in 2017 to 50. The number of independent candidates (37) outstripped any individual party but fell by 11 from the previous election. The SNP stood nine candidates; the same as they had in 2017 and more than any other party. The Conservatives stood just two candidates, down from three in 2017. For the first time, the Greens (one) and the Alba Party (one) fielded candidates in a Comhairle nan Eilean Siar election. Following the result of the previous election which saw no women elected to the council, there was a drive to increase the number of women standing. In total, eight women stood across the 11 wards – an increase of one from 2017.

### Controversy

After nominations closed on 30 March 2022, two wards – Barraigh agus Bhatarsaigh and Sgìr' Ùige agus Carlabhagh – received less candidates than seats available. Both are dual-member wards and only one person stood for election in each. As a result, both candidates – along with the two candidates who stood for election in the dual-member Sgìre an Rubha ward – were automatically elected without a poll being conducted. The lack of interest in standing for election was called a "threat to local democracy" by the Greens. Across Scotland, 18 councillors were automatically elected because the number of candidates was not enough to trigger an election. During the 2017 local elections in Scotland, just three council wards were uncontested, but votes were held in every ward in both 2007 and 2012 – the first elections to use multi-member wards and STV. By-elections were organised in Barraigh agus Bhatarsaigh and Sgìr' Ùige agus Carlabhagh to elect a second councillor. Public disinterest in standing for election to local councils has been linked to the "ridiculous" size of some local authorities and the low pay councillors receive for their work.

## Results

2022 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar election result :
| Party | Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| | Independent | 20 | 8 | 11 | 3 | 69.0 | 74.2 | 6,573 | 3.3 |
| | SNP | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 20.7 | 21.3 | 1,891 | 2.1 |
| | Conservative | 1 | 0 | 0 | | 3.4 | 1.5 | 131 | 1.9 |
| | Scottish Green | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 2.0 | 176 | New |
| | Alba | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 1.0 | 92 | New |
| | Vacant | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6.9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | Total | 29 | | | | | | 8,863 | |
Source:
Notes:
* Votes are the sum of first preference votes across all council wards. The net gain/loss and percentage changes relate to the result of the previous Scottish local elections on 4 May 2017. This is because STV has an element of proportionality which is not present unless multiple seats are being elected. This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at the dissolution of Scotland's councils.
* Following boundary changes, the total number of seats was reduced from 31 to 29.

### Ward summary

Results of the 2022 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar election by ward :
| Ward | % | Cllrs | % | Cllrs | % | Cllrs | % | Cllrs | Total Cllrs |
| Ward | Independents | Independents | SNP | SNP | Conservative | Conservative | Others | Others | | Total Cllrs |
| Barraigh agus Bhatarsaigh | — | 1 | | | | | | | 1 |
| Uibhist a Deas, Èirisgeigh agus Beinn na Faoghla | 62.6 | 2 | 16.9 | 1 | | | 20.5 | 0 | 3 |
| Uibhist a Tuath | 80.2 | 2 | | | 19.8 | 0 | | | 2 |
| Na Hearadh | 81.9 | 2 | 18.1 | 0 | | | | | 2 |
| Sgìre nan Loch | 90.5 | 2 | 9.5 | 0 | | | | | 2 |
| Sgìr' Ùige agus Carlabhagh | | | | | — | 1 | | | 1 |
| An Taobh Siar agus Nis | 70.8 | 2 | 29.2 | 1 | | | | | 3 |
| Loch a Tuath | 78.1 | 2 | 21.9 | 1 | | | | | 3 |
| Steòrnabhagh a Tuath | 76.7 | 3 | 23.3 | 1 | | | | | 4 |
| Steòrnabhagh a Deas | 66.1 | 2 | 33.9 | 2 | | | | | 4 |
| Sgìre an Rubha | — | 2 | | | | | | | 2 |
| Total | 74.2 | 20 | 21.3 | 6 | 1.5 | 1 | 3.0 | 0 | 27 |

#### Notes

* ^ A: Only one candidate stood for election in the two-member Barraigh agus Bhatarsaigh and Sgìr' Ùige agus Carlabhagh wards. A by-election was held on 30 June 2022 to elect a second member (see below).
* ^ B: As a result of less candidates standing for election than seats to be filled in two wards, only 27 councillors were elected on 5 May 2022 instead of 29.
Source:

## Ward results

At the previous election, the Barraigh agus Bhatarsaigh; Uibhist a Deas, Èirisgeigh agus Beinn na Faoghla and Uibhist a Tuath wards were represented by two wards: Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eirisgeigh agus Uibhist a Deas and Beinn Na Foghla agus Uibhist a Tuath. The two wards elected seven councillors in total including five independents and two SNP. The newly created wards elected five independents and one SNP councillor while one seat was left vacant due to a lack of candidates. This resulted in a loss of one seat for the SNP. In total, three of the sitting independent councillors retained their seats and two new councillors were elected. In 2017, Green candidate Roddy MacKay and Alba candidate Calum MacMillan were elected as independents.
Similarly, the Na Hearadh; Sgìre nan Loch and Sgìr' Ùige agus Carlabhagh wards were represented by two wards: Na Hearadh agus Ceann a Deas nan Loch and Sgir' Uige agus Ceann a Tuath nan Loch. The two wards elected six councillors in total including four independents, one SNP and one Conservative. The newly created wards elected four independents and one Conservative councillor while one seat was left vacant due to a lack of candidates. This resulted in a loss of one seat for the SNP. In total, three of the sitting independent councillors retained their seats and one new councillor was elected.

### Barraigh agus Bhatarsaigh

Barraigh agus Bhatarsaigh – 2 seats :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Kenneth J. MacLean | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |
Source:

### Uibhist a Deas, Èirisgeigh agus Beinn na Faoghla

Uibhist a Deas, Èirisgeigh agus Beinn na Faoghla – 3 seats :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| | Independent | Paul F. Steele | 21.1 | 275 | 290 | 305 | 352 | | | | |
| | SNP | Susan Thomson | 16.9 | 221 | 230 | 243 | 262 | 266 | 332 | | |
| | Independent | Iain M. MacLeod | 13.6 | 177 | 188 | 205 | 250 | 255 | 302 | 303 | 384 |
| | Scottish Green | Roddy MacKay | 13.5 | 176 | 182 | 186 | 197 | 201 | | | |
| | Independent | Donnie Steele | 11.9 | 155 | 161 | 180 | 200 | 206 | 253 | 254 | |
| | Independent | Iain A. MacNeil | 10.6 | 138 | 147 | 159 | | | | | |
| | Alba | Calum MacMillan | 7.0 | 92 | 98 | | | | | | |
| | Independent | Andrew V. Walker | 5.5 | 72 | | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 2,541 Valid: 1,306 Spoilt: 36 Quota: 327 Turnout: 52.8% ||||||||||||
Source:

### Uibhist a Tuath

Uibhist a Tuath – 2 seats :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 |
| | Independent | Mustapha Hocine | 41.8 | 276 |
| | Independent | Uisdean Robertson | 38.4 | 254 |
| | Conservative | Kenny Barker | 19.8 | 131 |
| Electorate: 1,360 Valid: 661 Spoilt: 8 Quota: 221 Turnout: 49.2% |||||
Source:

### Na Hearadh

Na Hearadh – 2 seats :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 |
| | Independent | Grant Fulton | 50.3 | 372 | |
| | Independent | Paul Finnegan | 31.5 | 233 | 301 |
| | SNP | John G. Mitchell | 18.1 | 134 | 171 |
| Electorate: 1,553 Valid: 739 Spoilt: 22 Quota: 247 Turnout: 49.0% ||||||
Source:

### Sgìre nan Loch

Sgìre nan Loch – 2 seats :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 |
| | Independent | Angus Morrison | 49.9 | 425 | |
| | Independent | Robert MacKenzie | 30.8 | 262 | 336 |
| | Independent | Annie MacDonald | 9.8 | 83 | 109 |
| | SNP | Norman Smith | 9.5 | 81 | 87 |
| Electorate: 1,458 Valid: 851 Spoilt: 4 Quota: 284 Turnout: 58.6% ||||||
Source:

### Sgìr' Ùige agus Carlabhagh

Sgìr' Ùige agus Carlabhagh – 2 seats :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Ranald Fraser | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Source:

### An Taobh Siar agus Nis

The SNP and independent councillor John N. MacLeod retained the seats they had won at the previous election, while independent candidate Donald MacSween gained a seat. Following boundary changes, the number of councillors elected was reduced from four to three. Former councillors John MacKay and Kenny J. MacLeod stood down before the election.
An Taobh Siar agus Nis – 3 seats :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| | Independent | John N. MacLeod (incumbent) | 25.0 | 346 | 356 | | | | |
| | SNP | Kenny MacLeod (incumbent) | 21.8 | 302 | 365 | | | | |
| | Independent | Donald MacSween | 19.6 | 271 | 282 | 288 | 290 | 339 | 479 |
| | Independent | Dorothy Morrison | 16.8 | 233 | 242 | 248 | 250 | 283 | |
| | Independent | Donald J. MacLeod | 9.5 | 131 | 133 | 135 | 138 | | |
| | SNP | Finlay J. MacLeod | 7.4 | 102 | | | | | |
| Electorate: 2,552 Valid: 1,414 Spoilt: 29 Quota: 347 Turnout: 55.4% ||||||||||
Source:

### Loch a Tuath

The SNP and independent councillors Donald F. Crichton and Calum MacLean retained the seats they had won at the previous election.
Loch a Tuath – 3 seats :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 |
| | Independent | Donald F. Crichton (incumbent) | 41.1 | 461 | |
| | Independent | Calum MacLean (incumbent) | 22.2 | 249 | 330 |
| | SNP | John A. MacIver (incumbent) | 21.9 | 246 | 281 |
| | Independent | Catriona Murray | 11.2 | 126 | 168 |
| | Independent | Hazel G. Mansfield | 3.5 | 39 | 46 |
| Electorate: 2,216 Valid: 1,121 Spoilt: 27 Quota: 281 Turnout: 51.8% ||||||
Source:

### Steòrnabhagh a Tuath

The SNP and independent councillor Iain M. MacAulay retained the seats they had won at the previous election, while independent candidates Duncan MacInnes and Malcolm K. MacDonald gained a seat from former councillors Roddie MacKay and Neil MacKay who stood down at the election.
Steòrnabhagh a Tuath – 4 seats :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| | SNP | Gordon Murray (incumbent) | 23.3 | 315 | | | | | | | | |
| | Independent | Duncan MacInnes | 20.0 | 271 | | | | | | | | |
| | Independent | Iain M. MacAulay (incumbent) | 17.9 | 242 | 252 | 256 | 259 | 272 | | | | |
| | Independent | Malcolm K. MacDonald | 14.8 | 201 | 210 | 213 | 215 | 226 | 227 | 243 | 265 | 328 |
| | Independent | Calum B. MacKay | 9.9 | 134 | 137 | 139 | 141 | 147 | 148 | 162 | 179 | |
| | Independent | Tracy Dinner | 4.2 | 57 | 61 | 61 | 71 | 74 | 74 | 80 | | |
| | Independent | Malcolm I. McTaggart | 4.1 | 55 | 57 | 60 | 63 | 65 | 65 | | | |
| | Independent | Willie MacRae | 3.3 | 44 | 46 | 46 | 49 | | | | | |
| | Independent | Maxi MacNeill | 1.7 | 23 | 25 | 25 | | | | | | |
| | Independent | John M. MacMillan | 0.9 | 12 | 13 | | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 3,097 Valid: 1,354 Spoilt: 25 Quota: 271 Turnout: 44.5% |||||||||||||
Source:

### Steòrnabhagh a Deas

The SNP and independent councillor Angus McCormack retained the seats they had won at the previous election, while the SNP and independent candidate George Murray gained a seat from former councillors Charlie Nicolson and Keith Dodson who stood down at the election.
Steòrnabhagh a Deas – 4 seats :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| | Independent | George Murray | 25.4 | 367 | | | | | | |
| | SNP | Rae MacKenzie (incumbent) | 19.9 | 287 | 296 | | | | | |
| | Independent | Angus McCormack (incumbent) | 19.6 | 283 | 300 | | | | | |
| | SNP | Frances Murray | 14.0 | 203 | 213 | 215 | 217 | 231 | 246 | 301 |
| | Independent | Archie MacDonald | 7.7 | 111 | 120 | 122 | 122 | 158 | 206 | |
| | Independent | Callum I. MacMillan | 7.0 | 101 | 113 | 115 | 116 | 144 | | |
| | Independent | Frank S. Burns | 6.5 | 94 | 102 | 104 | 104 | | | |
| Electorate: 3,105 Valid: 1,446 Spoilt: 30 Quota: 290 Turnout: 47.5% |||||||||||
Source:

### Sgìre an Rubha

Independent councillors Norrie T. MacDonald and Finlay M. Stewart retained the seats they had won at the previous election. Following boundary changes, the number of councillors elected was reduced from three to two. Former councillor Alasdair MacLeod stood down before the election.
Sgìre an Rubha – 2 seats :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Norrie T. MacDonald (incumbent) | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Independent | Finlay M. Stewart (incumbent) | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | | |
Source:

## Aftermath

For the first time in a decade, female councillors were elected to the council. SNP councillors Susan Thomson and Frances Murray became the first women to serve on the council since Catherine MacDonald was elected in 2012.
Three candidates – namely Cllr Kenneth MacLeod, Cllr Paul Steele and Cllr Norman MacDonald – put themselves forward for the position of council leader and, following the cut of a deck of cards, Cllr Steele was elected. Cllr MacLeod was elected as convener on the same basis and Cllr Duncan MacInnes was elected as the first depute leader of the council.
On 13 September 2024, Cllr Malcolm K. MacDonald, councillor for Steòrnabhagh a Tuath, announced that he had joined the Liberal Democrats becoming their first ever representative on the council.

### June 2022 by-elections

By-elections were called shortly after the election in Barraigh agus Bhatarsaigh and Sgìr' Ùige agus Carlabhagh following the lack of nominations received for the wards at the full election of the council. The by-elections were held on 30 June 2022 and counted by hand the following day.
Barraigh agus Bhatarsaigh by-election (30 June 2022) – 1 seat :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 |
| | Independent | Iain A. MacNeil | 49.3 | 189 | 197 |
| | Independent | Gerard Macdonald | 47.3 | 181 | 182 |
| | Independent | Calum Macmillan | 3.4 | 13 | |
| Electorate: 971 Valid: 383 Spoilt: 2 Quota: 193 Turnout: 39.6 ||||||
Source:
Sgìr' Ùige agus Carlabhagh by-election (30 June 2022) – 1 seat :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| | Independent | Norman M. MacDonald | 35.4 | 222 | 222 | 230 | 238 | 256 | 278 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jamie Dobson | 20.4 | 128 | 128 | 129 | 142 | 159 | 220 |
| | Independent | Sophie B. Brown | 18.0 | 113 | 113 | 114 | 119 | 148 | |
| | SNP | Laura F. Cameron-Lewis | 15.3 | 96 | 97 | 97 | 112 | | |
| | Scottish Green | Anne E. Edwards | 9.1 | 57 | 57 | 57 | | | |
| | Independent | Donald J. MacLeod | 1.8 | 11 | 11 | | | | |
| | Independent | Iain J. MacKinnon | 0.2 | 1 | | | | | |
| Electorate: 1,329 Valid: 628 Spoilt: 6 Quota: 315 Turnout: 47.7% ||||||||||
Source:

### Na Hearadh by-election

In May 2024, Na Hearadh councillor Grant Fulton resigned citing displeasure about the way the council was run. A by-election was held on 4 July 2024, the same day as the 2024 United Kingdom general election, and was won by independent candidate Kenny MacLeod.
Na Hearadh by-election (4 July 2024) – 1 seat :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 |
| | Independent | Kenny MacLeod | 95.4 | 878 |
| | Scottish Family | Steven Welsh | 4.6 | 53 |
| Electorate: 1,484 Valid: 931 Spoilt: 11 Quota: 467 Turnout: 62.7% |||||
Source: