11th-hour decision for isles leader

The long-serving leader of Western Isles Council has decided not to seek re-election.

Angus Campbell has held the position of leader since it was separated the convener position.

Sources said it must have been a last-minute decision as he was not named among the councillors standing down at the final meeting of the last council. The outgoing council is six SNP councillors, two Labour and the rest are independents.

This time round Labour have not put up any candidates, while the Scottish Conservatives are standing for what is believed to be the very first time in the Western Isles. The SNP is also putting up a number of candidates.

A total of 60 candidates are standing for 31 seats across nine wards.

Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay and South Uist Benbecula and North Uist Harris and South Lochs Uig and North Lochs Point Stornoway South Stornoway North Broadbay Westside and Ness

David Blaney, Ind; Ronald Joseph Mackinnon, Ind; Calum Macmillan, SNP; Iain MacNeil, Ind; Donald Manford, SNP; Donnie Steele, Ind; Paul Francis Steele Neil Macdonald Beaton, Ind; Ken Macbrayne, Con; Roddy Mackay, Ind; Iain Murdoch Macleod, Ind; John Macleod, Ind; Roslyn Macpherson, SNP; Uisdean Robertson, Ind; Andrew Walker, Ind Finlay Cunningham, Ind; Paul Anthony Finnegan, Ind; Catherine Macdonald, Ind; Fiona Macleod, SNP; Sheena Macleod, Ind; DJ Macrae, Ind; John Graham Mitchell, SNP; Alex Dan Smith, Ind; Denise Wilson, Ind Ranald Fraser, Con; Norman Alexander Macdonald, Ind; Donald Cudig Macleod, Ind; Angus Morrison, Ind Don Macdonald, Con; Norrie Tomsh Macdonald, Ind; Alasdair Macleod, Ind; John Murdo Macmillan, Ind; Tony Robson, Ind; Finlay Mackenzie Stewart, Ind Caroline Linda Brick, Ind; Keith Dodson, Ind; Rae Mackenzie, SNP; Shonnie Beag Macritchie, Ind; Angus McCormack, Ind; Campbell McKenzie, Ind; Derek McPherson, Ind; Charlie Nicolson, Ind Iain Maclean Macaulay, Ind; Neil Mackay, Ind; Roddie Mackay, Ind; Lesley McKenzie, Ind; Gordon Murray, SNP Donald Crichton, Ind; Ruaraidh Ferguson, Ind; Iain C Maciver, Ind; John A Maciver, SNP; Allan Cameron Maclachlan, Ind; Calum Maclean, Ind John Mackay, Ind; Alistair Maclennan, Ind; John Norman Macleod, Ind; Kenneth Macleod, SNP; Kenny John Macleod, Ind; Malcolm Ivor McTaggart, Ind

“Conservatives are standing for what is believed to be the first time in isles”