Calum Munro elected to represent Eilean a’ Cheò
Independent candidate Calum Munro won the recent by-election for ward 10 of the Highland Council.
The by-election was held on Thursday March 12 following the resignation of Councillor Ronald MacDonald, who stepped down in December, with six candidates vying for the chance to represent the people of Skye and Raasay.
Voting was via the single transferable vote system and Mr Munro emerged as the winner at the fifth and final stage of the count. The turnout was 36.5 per cent with 3,199 valid papers and 29 rejected.
Beginning his career in Gaelic Medium Education, Mr Munro took a career break to run a joinery business. He has been a community councillor in Kilmuir for the last five years and has lived on Skye since 2008.
Mr Munro said: ‘I am so grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me with their votes and second preferences. I can’t deny how humbling and emotional the last few minutes of the count were. I will represent all the people of this ward to the best of my abilities.’
Mr Munro’s priorities include investing in roads and public transport and the tourism industry; building more affordable housing; maintaining essential health care services and ensuring the new Broadford Hospital delivers services for the entire ward.
The full results were: Calum Munro (Independent) - 1,464 (votes); Andrew Kiss (SNP) 1,135; Fay Thomson (Liberal Democrats) - 881; Dawn Kroonstuiver Campbell (Green) - 379; Ruraidh Stewart (Conservative) - 315; Màrtainn Mac a’ Bhàillidh (Misneachd) - 45.
Mr Munro joins Calum MacLeod, John Gordon and John Finlayson as the fourth councillor representing Ward 10 of the Highland Council, Eilean a’ Cheò.