Western Isles elect women councillors for first time in decade

History has been made in the Outer Hebrides after two women became the first in a decade to be elected to the previously all-male council.

Eight women had stood for seats on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Susan Thomson became the first woman to be elected to the authority since 2012 and will represent South Uist, Eriskay and Benbecula for the SNP.

Former Nicolson Institute rector Frances Murray, also representing the SNP, claimed a Stornoway seat.

Ms Thomson said the issue of women not being on the council was one of the issues on the doorstep.

She said she was even in favour of examining having councillors job-share seats as a way forward to get greater diversity.

“Women have stood and the community have made a decision – that does not mean that things don’t need to be done,” she said. “We need to have a conversation. Job-sharing could be one way.

“The Americans manage it – it is not a new concept. The Americans choose a president and a vice-president.

“I did not campaign on a lack of women (on the council) but it did come up on the doorstep.

“I am delighted to be elected, and I stood because I believe in independence and the SNP.”

Mrs Murray was the first female rector of the Nicolson Institute.

She said she was “delighted” to now represent Stornoway.

“From the moment I announced my candidature the issue of women on the council came up,” she said.

“I never thought there was a particular bias against women – there are wider issues preventing women from standing.”

One of the favourites to also make the gender breakthrough had been college lecturer Catriona Murray.

However, she was 120 votes behind for the Loch a Tuath ward. She said she would not rule out standing again.

Also making history was Mustapha Hocine, who has become the first from an ethnic minority to win a Western Isles Council seat.

Mr Hocine came from Algeria to study in the UK and met his future wife Anne, who is from North Uist, at Glasgow University.

Mr Hocine topped the poll in the Uibhist a Tuath ward where he and his family have lived for 30 years.

Having long worked for the NHS as a mental health service co-ordinator, the father of two has been heavily involved in many community groups.

Elsewhere, a by-election will be held for Barra and Vatersay and Uig and Carloway, as only one candidate for each of the two-member wards was nominated.

A date will be set in the coming weeks.

Frances Murray, left, and Susan Thomson are elected to Western Isles Council.