The SNP has announced a raft of hopefuls who will stand at the Western Isles council elections in May 2012 in a bold move which signals the long-expected plan to grab control of the authority.
For the first time the nationalists are fielding candidates in all nine enlarged wards, with a total of 16 candidates. They will be officially introduced to SNP members at a St Andrews Evening tonight (Friday).
The SNP’s candidates will be:
Ward 1 – Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay and South Uist – Cllr. Donald Manford
Ward 1 – Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay and South Uist – Cllr. Gerry MacLeod
Ward 1 – Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay and South Uist – Willie Douglas
Ward 2 – Benbecula and North Uist – Bryan Macpherson
Ward 2 – Benbecula and North Uist– Andrew Walker
Ward 3 – Harris and South Lochs – Cllr Philip Mclean
Ward 4 – Uig and North Lochs – Cllr Annie MacDonald
Ward 4 – Uig and North Lochs – Bill Houston
Ward 5 – Point – John Norman ‘Orica’ MacDonald
Ward 5 – Point – Iain Don MacIver
Ward 6 – Stornoway South – Mohammed Ahmed
Ward 6 – Stornoway South – Gordon Murray
Ward 7 – Stornoway North – Bob Duncan
Ward 7 – Stornoway North – Rae MacKenzie
Ward 8 – Broad Bay – Cllr John A MacIver
Ward 9 – West Side and Ness – Kenny MacLeod
The Labour Party, meanwhile, is in turmoil since the last Holyrood election. Its candidate was a Free Church elder who famously confirmed his support for the right of accomodation providers to discriminate against paying guests who fail to engage in Free Church-approved sexual practices.
He failed to get the backing of even hardline church members so is now expected to stand for council on the basis that there may be more rabid homophobes per square mile in Point compared to all of the islands.
The SNP knows it could now be in line for a historic takeover. Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, confirmed the SNP was putting up more than three times as many council candidates in the Western Isles than they ever did before.
“We do this because there is a clear demand for a new council with fresh ideas, one which will work hard in the interests of jobs and services in the islands during tough economic times.
“I intend to get round as many doorsteps as I can with our council candidates between now and May to listen to and respond to people’s views and concerns, and I know we have selected a team which can make a real breakthrough for the SNP in the islands.”
Angus MacNeil, the islands’ SNP MP, added: “We will fight a positive campaign and one which draws on the depth of support which now exists for the SNP in the islands. The SNP’s candidates are serious about taking local responsibility in communities from Ness to Vatersay.
“The SNP in the islands is clearly energised, not just by our success nationally, but by the trust which the party has earned within the community. Today’s announcement of 16 council candidates marks the arrival of the SNP as a decisive force within local politics in the Western Isles.”
Council group leader Donald Manford said the SNP were sending out a clear signal that they intend to dramatically increase their representation on the Comhairle from the current group of four councillors.
This is a cracking line up. Things are going to change around here.
’tis a pity that one of them is currently under investigation by Trading Standards over fraud.
MacKnacker you is very mean spirited person. Being investigated is a bit different to being convicted. Were you person who made the report. Who else would know. No wonder you is anonymous you sleazebag .
It’s “you ARE anonymous”. Goodness, educational standards are slipping.
I think you’ll find that YOU are defending the indefensible sleazebag.
I hope this list of candidates has been checked to ensure that it is representative in terms of ethnicity, LGBT representation etc.
I didn’t realise that John A was still a Councillor, as he hasn’t said anything in the chamber for years. He’s now ‘doing a Maroot’ by claiming/denying a political stance.
Good show. Long past time for a clean sweep of the dinosaurs and those with very selective hearing at the Council (though these ‘qualities’ are not confined to councillors).
Ann, spot on except you missed the vested interest involved amongst far too many of the present cosy set up. As a Unionist I would never vote SNP nationally but be damn sure to rid ourselves of the chums and cronies pact and neu labour pretending to be “Independant” I shall firmly put my X in the SNP candidates box. Good luck to the SNP candidates for at least ‘outing’ their political stance. Can I be assured however that none of them are involved in the oil cartel please:-)
This is good news – I think!! I hope other parties (?) can also field a good selection of NEW candidates, as the general feeling around here is that we need a complete change of council, leadership in particular.
I hope all candidates will be pressed hard to reveal any hidden connections, interests or conflicts thereof.
Like:
Owning Petrol Outlets, being members of the LDOS, being Church Elders and so on…
Dont expect any NEW candidates from the Labour. Maybe Inspector macknacker should think about it except he sounds old and bitter ,well past it
MacKnackerred – Half the council could or certainly should be under investigation for one thing or another. I’ll take 1 in 16 versus the current motley crew!
Is I is or is I ain’t? Grammar – don’t you just luvs it!
“I hope all candidates will be pressed hard to reveal any hidden connections, interests or conflicts thereof.
Like:
Owning Petrol Outlets, being members of the LDOS, being Church Elders and so on…”
You may complain about current councillors as Owning Petrol Outlets, being members of the LDOS, being Church Elders and so on, but how on earth can you claim that these were hidden from anyone at the time of the election.
In reality anyone who is likely to stand for election will undoubtedly be involved in many organisations and will have connections with many people that may cause conflicts of interest.
In such cases they should declare an interest when a specific area that may incur conflict is being debated.
Mr Placid – Quote “I hope all candidates will be pressed hard to reveal any hidden connections, interests or conflicts thereof.
Like:
Owning Petrol Outlets, being members of the LDOS, being Church Elders and so on…”
And your point is exactly what?
“Angus Leader Campbell”, Maroot, best councillor in the chamber!!
Why did your comments go off? Were you hacked by John Macleod?
p.s. your comments now run last comment first, which is a bit confusing.
Catherine, how do you work that out?
Hopefully Labour will have a better candidate team.
Never mind the party line-up, as long as we get rid of the current crop of no-hopers; most of whom appear to be there for the fat salaries and perks, including the subsidised booze and food.
With a bit of luck we may even get some councillors who actually listen to the people and, unlike the current mob, are not so utterly arrogant as to think that they know better than the people they are supposed to represent.
Guga – Spot on!
Ghillie and Advocacy: My point was that in the interest of openess and fairness that candidates should declare all information that councillors standing for re-election have in the public domain already. I have nothing against business ownership etc.. (sorry if it read that way). I am not completely sure that such interests are declared ahead of council elections (could be wrong though) but think that they should be.
I am sure that all our councillors put their personal connections and interests aside when pushing for lower fuel prices with transparency of costs and voting on licencing boards whether they own a fuel outlet, are employed by Scottish Fuels, are a member of the LDOS and so on, don’t they?
Iain X : Have you put some snowflakes on here or has my monitor/eyes gone funny?
For a minute I thought some crafty councillor had pulled off a real benefit for the Island transport links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16017413
People like Donald Crighton, Donald Lamont, Matt Bruce Alisdair Macleod, Binnie and even DJ Macsween would make a great team.
Callum, you having a laugh…………………..
I think these guys are really a strong team. A blend of youth and experience. If Alisdair Morrison was available it would be better. The best council ever, awesome. We need people to stand up the Scottish Government.
Callum, you’ve either been off the planet for the last few years and not aware of what’s been happening, or just simply off the planet…….
Advocacy that’s not nice. I’m a Labour man through and through. I think they are the people who will do the best job.
Callum, my apologies – but prepare to remain in the shadows if that’s the best team you’ve got.
For a start, Donald Critchon, destroyed at the elections, DJ Macsween, where do I start with this guy, destroyed at the elections and a poor excuse of a man, Alasdair Macleod – a joke, do I need to carry on.
The only decent name you had is Alasdair Morrison, but he just isn’t interested anymore and I don’t blame him with that line up – there’s no way in creation of even getting him interested, because he’s got a brain that’s of use and sees the joke around him, although he’ll never admit it, in public!!!
Thanks very much Advocacy but I don’t agree with you, Alisdair is a great politician along with his pal Binnie. DJ Macsween has done great things for Point and Donald Crichton is good christian . an honest man. Iv’e heard Alistdair Macleod speak and he was good. Donald Lamont is still young but an old head on young shoulders. I’m sorry but I think they would make a briany team. Why will Alisdair Morrison not come back again. We need these people.
Oh Callum oh Callum oh Callum, the people of the islands gave their opinions of the two wannabe politicans – ‘no use’ in other words, do yourselves a favour and get rid of them as soon as possible both before they completely destroy the local party. Alasdair Macleod is nothing, a nobody with a big mouth.
I know they lost elections but have you ever heard them talk, brill guys. I don’t know the young boy Lamont but I’m told he is one for the future. Donald John a really old guy but still cool. I know people laugh at Binnie but he is still nobodys fool. You are either Labour or you are won of those Nationalist clowns.
Nothing against Binnie and I certainly don’t laugh at him, because he’s the ‘ONLY’ straight guy out of the four of them, and I don’t think it’s fair for you as a labour man to be saying that…………
I’ve heard all three talk (being the boy Critchon, the fool DJ and the joke Alasdair), in future I’ll make sure my stomach is empty before I do, not that I ever intend to punish myself again, I may be getting my finger nails plucked instead, which is a far more attractive alternative!
I don’t laugh at Binnie but I have seen some so called Labour people do it in public. When I was a bit younger he used to explain things to me. Who do you think should stand for Labour. Can’t let the SNP get away with it.
Who is this Binnie you speak of?
The Labour Party are struggling for talent and if there is as much infighting as we are told then they wouldn’t be worth the vote. We have had more than enough of their old guard, people like Macsween, McCormack, Curly, Campbell, Norman Macdonald and others should call it a day and stand down. Over the last five years all they have done is made things worse.
Sorry Callum but that list you have for the Labour Party is just a joke. Guys like Macsween, Macleod, Lamont, Binnie Morrison are as much use as a dipstick in a seized engine with no oil.
Donald M and Martyn don’t know what they are talking about. The guys I listed would sort those SNP clouds. A dream team.
Sorry Callum your dream team is full of has been’s and a daft wee boy out of his depth.
Alec you talk rubbish.
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