Women return to Hebridean council

THE only all-male council in Scotland is no more.

Two women were elected in the Western Isles yesterday, ending a single-sex monopoly on the local authority that was created in 2017.

The SNP’S Susan Thomson was elected in the three-member South Uist, Eriskay and Benbecula ward, while Frances Murray, also SNP, won in four-member Stornoway South.

Mustapha Hocine, a local teacher, was also elected as an Independent in North Uist, becoming the council’s first ethnic minority councillor.

The election of the two female candidates ends an embarrassing period for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, which elected 31 male candidates in 2017.

Of these, 23 were independents, seven were SNP and there was one Conservative.

It was the first time in the council’s history that no women had been elected, although the most was just five in 2007.

Eight female candidates stood this time.

Ms Thomson said she hoped people voted for her for many reasons.

She said: “I think people voted for a whole raft of reasons. People recognise they need a broad perspective on the council – different experiences to make good policies and decisions.”