Allan hails return of female councillors
Newly-elected Comhairle nan Eilean Siar councillors have been congratulated by SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar Alasdair Allan, who also hailed the return of female representation to the local authority.
After the 2017 election, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar was the only local authority in Scotland to have no female representation.
This situation ended earlier last Thursday when SNP candidates Susan Thomson in Uibhist A Deas, Èirisgeigh Agus Beinn Na Faoghla and Frances Murray in Steòrnabhagh A Deas were elected.
Mr Allan said: ‘I congratulate all the newly-elected councillors. There are a range of challenges facing the islands and I look forward to working with them all in the years to come.
‘I’m particularly delighted to see Susan and Frances elected. The Western Isles has had the unwelcome distinction of being the only area in Scotland to have no female councillors and it’s fantastic two SNP candidates have ended this.
‘It’s also welcome to see Mustapha Hocine, Independent, elected as the first Black, Asian and minority ethnic councillor in the Western Isles.
‘This has been a really good result for the SNP locally. The campaign has been very positive.’