Well-known artist Willie Fulton of Harris has called for councillors to welcome the lower fuel prices and praise the sustained campaign by Gordon Maclennan and others to bring them about. I wrote to all councillors asking them if they wished to respond. Replies will be listed here:
Current responses: 8
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From Councillor Cudig Macleod
Hi Iain
Obama is in, commodity markets are in freefall, oil has had a big drop which should filter down to consumers by the end of this year. This should benefit motorists and you will be noticing that your weekly shopping is cheaper.
If this does not happen, blame 30 members of the Comhairle.
By the way, I fully support any reduction of fuel costs in the Isles.
Our highway robber is num 11
Regards
Cllr Cudig
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From Councillor Iain Morrison
Iain
Gordon is to be praised for delivering cheaper fuel to all of us, by his determination to take on a massive player in fuel distribution in Scotland. The high cost of fuel has directly or indirectly affected every person in the Western Isles, but hopefully this stranglehold has now been broken by Gordon’s valiant effort by bringing the price of fuel on our island more in line with mainland prices. It would be good to see all our islands benefiting from these price reductions, and hopefully that will happen soon.
Regards
Cllr Iain Morrison
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From Councillor Kenny Macleod
Iain,
I am delighted to see the price of fuel in Lewis dropping substantially over the past few weeks. Well done to Gordon Maclennan for taking the initiative, and we are now seeing others doing the same. At the end of the day it is the customer that benefits. When I hear that you can buy fuel at Gordon Diesels in Back at the same price as Tesco’s in Inverness – then that is a huge step forward. It is only a few weeks since there was a 12p a litre of a difference in the price of fuel between Stornoway and Inverness. Let us hope that sooner rather than later the whole of the Western Isles can get their fuel at the same price as Tesco’s in Inverness.
Kenny Macleod
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From Councillor Zena Stewart (in absentia)
Yes, I welcome this development. I think anyone would welcome lower fuel prices in this area.
Zena Stewart
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From Councillor Donald Manford
Iain,
I publicly supported Gordon when he first announced his brave step and recall immediately responding to your own enquiry. I have also written to the Office of Fair Trading to highlight the issue. I have supported all the previous campaigns such as Fair Fuel for Folks Sake, some 15 years ago to the more recent Am Paipear campaign which was presented to the Scottish Parliament’s Petitions Committee. I was also party to the HITRANs, Experion report on Rural Fuel Stations, which did significant research to identify the reasons for the price disparity. I welcome the recent announcement from Scottish Fuels to release businesses from unhealthy contracts and monitor closely what impact that will have. I applaud all who work so tirelessly to secure Fair Fuel prices for all islands.
Kind regards, Donald
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From Councillor Gordon Murray
Hi Iain
Thanks for your email. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to publicly thank Gordon Maclennan for the brave stance he is taking by challenging Scottish Fuels. I filled up the car yesterday at Back and will continue to support him.
I am happy to sign any collective letter of support and welcome Councillor Nicolson’s review of saving money by using the cheapest supplier.
Best wishes,
Gordon
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From Councillor Donnie Steele
Hi Iain
From the outset I have been fully supportive of Gordon and Alasdair Smith and will continue to be. We all must thank and support GD Ltd for what they have done for the people of the Western Isles.
Regards
Donnie
Ps. I hope heating oil is next to be slashed
From Councillor Charlie Nicolson
Dear Iain,
Thank you for your e mail. I, Iain, am fully supportive and congratulate FFS and Mr Gordon Maclennan (Gordon Diesels) on the campaign they have run making a difference to people’s lives in regards to fair fuel price in Lewis and Harris but with the objective of having a fair fuel price for all in the Outer Hebrides. Mr Macmillan, the FFS group and Mr Maclennan deserve special praise and thanks for the campaign they have run for the community and are continuing to run.
I personally feel also we still have the issue of fuel prices for home heating to as an issue especially with the winter coming. I am here to help the campaigns. I am very happy as Mr Fulton from Harris points in his e mail “to sign a letter expressing my full support for the campaign to bring down island fuel prices and further more I applaud all those who have been involved in the campaign that has been run as being crucial to the islands present and future economic wellbeing.”
Maybe as a Councillor I should have come out with an earlier statement of support. I have attended recent fuel meetings in Stornoway and had informal discussions with Mr Macmillan and thought that the community did know I support fully the effort made by all in the campaign for cheaper fuel prices but in hindsight, as I say, could have made an earlier public statement of support to FFS and Mr Maclennan for the work down over a long period to help our community.
As a Councillor, I have had recent discussion with the CNES Director of Finance over whether it would be cheaper and save money to the CNES to have used Gordon Diesels for supplying fuel locally to the CNES and received the following reply:
“The Comhairle reserve the right to benchmark the Providers(s) pricing throughout the Contract Period, with equivalent products/services. In the event that a cheaper source is available, the Provider shall be afforded the opportunity to reduce the Contract prices to match the cheaper source. If the Provider is unable to match the cheaper source the Comhairle reserve the right to remove relevant items from the Contract or to terminate the Contract and use an alternative source of supply, in order to obtain Best value for Money.”
I am told CNES are reviewing the situation and that the contract put out yearly is a Framework Contract and is open to any firm to tender.
So Iain to sum up – I fully endorse the Fuel Campaign, FFS and Mr Maclennan and congratulate all who are involved in working together in helping the Community of the Outer Hebrides to trying to get fairer fuels costs for all parts of the Islands.
Thank you
Cllr Charlie
Stornoway South
thank you charlie and donnie…more to follow we hope.
Was it the uk prime minister?….. who said “we’re in it together”
Nothing from the SNP? I am not suprised….
Wonder what the two SNP Cllrs in Stornoway have to say?
Probably nothing, just waiting to collect their next pay check……and pension!
Seems to me from Charlie’s letter that a certain fuel retailer might have had his business excluded from Council use rather than the current arrangement of active use! Rather convienient then for the Cartel to be brocken up.
The GNAT group only have one voice so it will be a collective response if any.
For some this is not about fuel, it is about the labour party, only if they knew.
The ONLY Councillor who was involved in the FFS campaign, and who came out some time ago in strong support, was Labour councillor DJ Macrae. The MP and MSP have, by their own admission, via weasly press releases, been having regular ineffectual cosy meetings with the rogue wholesaler.
Of course, for poor deluded Onions, it’s not about fuel prices!
thank you gordon
MS of the PLM, how would you know, you can’t see past your big red nose. You are consumed with the MSP and MP, not the fuel situation. A lot of people have worked hard to achieve this result, including the MSP and MP . All you have done is moaned about anyone who was not labour.
Oh what a bitter Junkie/Onion! I give credit where it is due, and none of this, including Gordon’s price cut, would have happened had it not been for the FFS campaign. Aren’t you lucky up there in your fishy little town, we are still paying through the nose in Barra, despite having our very own ineffectual MP on our doorstep. If only we had Callum Iain and the FFS campaign working locally for us we might be able to enjoy being able to buy fuel at a fair price.
Wow guys give it a rest! A great thing has been achieved by members of the COMMUNITY.
Thankfully some are in agreement. I do hope they all stand together on this for the benefit of people who elected them.
This could prove to be a massive result that could change the lives of the people of the Western Isles.
MS can you not just enjoy this excellent moment without showing your bias. You must sit throught night worrying about things that you can’t change.
What fishy little town ? it must be your fishy little town too.
thank you Iain, Kenny, Zena and Donald
Nevertheless it is heartening that 7/31 of our elected representatives have confirmed their support. This is a staggering (not a word to be used lightly with the old Stornoway Town Councillors) 22%.
As 100% of our Islands Communities undoubtedly support fuel price cuts (if this is not an accurate statement I apologise, but would like to know who does NOT support fuel price cuts) then surely our elected representatives ought to mirror the sentiments of the Electorate and also confirm their 100% support.
agreed John……why the reticence (apart from getting time to reply) from our representatives?
it’s a simple question…do you support lower fuel prices, which benefit the whole economy? if not, why not?
We must remember that there are only 30 at the moment.
I suppose we have to give them a little time.
Sammy, even at 30, that is still 15 too many. We still need to get rid of half of them and save ourselves at least 1/4 million pounds a year.
True, but is it not the government who decides the amount of councillors?
Even 24 would do.
Now will the elected members of the CNES denounce Angus Campbell as their leader and hold a vote of no confidence?
The leader can only get away with so much; he has already got away with bucket loads of our hard earned cash by overcharging the public and more importantly council vehicles ….
I wonder how many councillors are required to start a motion of no confidence?
thank you cudig
It will say everything we need to know about any councillors who don’t reply to this. You are either working for the community or you’re not and should step down.
Well said Cudig at last a Councillor with the balls to stand up for himself
Why has the Chairman of the Local SNP , Rae Mackenzie or the rest of the SNP group not had a response in? Well done to Mr Manford and Murray for their show of support.
What does Dokus have to say as Convener? Surely the welfare of the Council and the Public interest comes before his loyalty to his best mate Angus Campbell??
C’mon Mr Manford, as group leader of the SNP, surely you have enough juice to instigate a motion of NO confidence in the Leader of the Council.
I do wonder how long Angus Campbell will take to resign?
Is there any point at this stage calling for a vote of no confidence, Campbell would win the vote. We need to be a bit more patient.
cudig is not standing up for himself theres only 30 councillors at the moment,it sounds more like he’s suggesting Island folk blame the council for all the problems in the world,less of the wild card,more paid up member of the whitehouse trough club!
Cudig is giving “twos up” to the people who elected him. No one slagged off the Comhairle and Councillors more than he did when he “worked” for them. Like manys another he went there to sort them out and has now joined the club. Shame he is taking the Mickey out of this. Does himself no favours.
THE “GREAT LEADER” IS DECIDING WHEN IT WILL BE TIME TO JOIN THE PEOPLE: PERHAPS THEN WE WILL ALL BE ABLE TO SING SOME CELEBRATORY MARTIAL SONG OR CREATE A SPECIAL DAY OF CELEBRATION ……….BUT THIS WILL ONLY HAPPEN WHEN THE “GREAT ONE” FINISHES HIS LONG WALK…..INTO THE SUNSET ….AND HOPEFULLY ANSWERS TO HIS ACTION’S…….in the meantime perhaps he to could write an acknowledgement to the team that has brought about these changes to fuel pricing in the Western Isles.
FFS and Mr Gordon Maclennan (Gordon Diesels)…brilliant job done so far…let’s make sure we all keep supporting the campaign to reduce all fuel prices on the Islands, including Heating Oil, Tractor Diesel and Marine Gas Oil.
Does anyone else find it odd that Councillors have had to be ASKED for a positive response to Gordon’s achievements?
Surely our local councillors are the ones that should have instigated this fight!
Tina you are 100% correct, Too many are either in league with him or frightened. As for Cudig, all mouth with no heart . The former school teacher Zeena Stewart has also just gone with the flow. Looks like we are stuck with them for another 4 1/2 years including the great leader who will probablt retire to a tax haven.
it was a simple request…….an achievement that should be recognised…I’m hoping against hope they haven’t received or checked emails ( of course they will have!)……two or three seconds to acknowledge this determined campaign costs nothing……or perhaps they are frightened of offending someone……….quite why, I have no idea……….To some of us the fuel price is manageable, to others, a massive hardship….to the islands in general, a dreadful economic brake on a whole range of factors……They’re meeting on budget cuts and here we have an avenue for huge savings…I’m genuinely puzzled……………….are they in a huff with you Iain?
Maybe they don’t read this blog?
There has never been a local facebook page with so much public interest as GDS services! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gordon-Diesels-Ltd/562894630390866?ref=ts&fref=ts. His comment on the 5th November about Scottish fuels tearing up their imaginery contracts has recieved over 700 “likes” and well over 100 comments. I understand the number of page views is in the region of 20000 per week.
The public support behind the campaign to end this game of monopoly is staggering, and yet our elected representatives, whatever colour of flag they fly or seat they hold, are basically pretending it’s not happening. The responses by the councillors so far are so insipid and grey it is just cringeworthy. Cudigs, just plain cocky and it goes to show how some underestimate the publics feeling on this matter. An offensive defense is a bad choice when those who elected you are the focus of the attack.
As those who cannot even be arsed to have the decency to state their position on the matter, just what is it that they find so damaging about endorsing this campaign whole heartedly? Just what is going on?
Even our mp is very lukewarm on support. It beggars belief. This campaign has snowballed on a weekly basis, and is surely destined to go further than local news. Any public figure who jumped on the bandwagon early on wouldve gained support and respect from this islands population for years to come, instead it has driven a wedge between orwells pigs in the farmhouse and the chickens and sheep in the yard.
Grow a back bone ffs… And that doesn’t stand for fair fuel solutions!
I am reminded of a scene from “The thick of it”, when government minister is being put under pressure by his attack dog to give a straight answer, The minister flusters: “everything is always black and white with you! ‘hello’ or ‘eff off’- you know, there are several shades of grey on this subject! its not just black and white!!”…….to which the attack dog flippantly replies “I know, and I’m f***ing looking at about 7 of them right now”
They were sent emails……happy hebs
They don’t have to have read this blog. An email went to all 30 councillors. I suspect one or two are certainly in the huff with me. Fine. That goes with the territory. I know at least one councillor has been saying something along the lines of it not being in their job description to do what some jumped-up blogger wants them to do. Fair point.
The fact that I was responding to widespread public concern, as public comments here prove – which Willie summarised so crisply – seems not to chime with certain elected members. Their election promises about listening are completely forgotten – at least by themselves. Some of the individual councillors who have already responded have been privately regretting the appalling disinterest and head-in-the-sand attitude of some of their colleagues.
Maybe we judge them too harshly. Maybe they just don’t read emails.
It is a disgrace that only 8 have replied. They have had more than enough time. It’s a simple question and it appears that only 8 councillors are, in one way or another , actually in favour of lower fuel prices!
So the other silent 22 councillors:
Ronald MacKinnon
David Blaney
Uisdean Robertson
Archie K Campbell
Neil MacDonald Beaton
Miss Catherine Macdonald
Philip R Mclean
Donald John MacRae
Norman A Macdonald (Convener)
Alasdair MacLeod
Norman M Macleod
Angus Mccormack
Angus Campbell (Council Leader)
Rae MacKenzie
Iain Mackenzie
Roddie Mackay
Iain MacLean MacAulay
Catriona Stewart
John A Maciver
Donald F Crichton
John Mackay
Kenneth M Murray
Are they all against lower fuel prices then? Must be! Shame on the lot of you, and as for the Convenor and Leader, well you can’t print that.
For some reason and I wonder why, I’m reminded of the old ditty to the tune of the red flag…..”The working class can kiss my arse I’ve got the foreman’s job at last.”
Aye Willie, and I was just thinking:
When the shit is going to hit the metaphorical fan you don’t want to be standing next to it!
Does DJ macraes previous statement count as in support?
http://maciverblog.co.uk/2012/10/05/statement-from-councillor-d-j-macrae/
Councillor Crighton posted message of support for GDS on his Facebook page on 20th October
The real question I have is how many of the above eight councillors voted for our leader and how many would still vote for him today. We all knew what he was up to regarding fuel before May, yet he is back in charge. There are those who may say how disgusted they are, yet will still support him.
Seeing as the vote was 24-7, most of the above voted for him.
A. Campbell or D. Manford?
Easy decision to elect Campbell again.
Obviously Sammy you are happy with the fuel situation and support it.I don’t understand where you’re coming from, is there no one else on this council who is capable to challenge the leader. I know Docus, Stewart, Crichton, Curly would all be bad choices, Or are you one of labour minded people that is so anti SNP you would cut your nose off to spite your face. Voting for the leader gives him a mandate to carry on as he wants.
Far from the right is where my vote goes, so not Labour or SNP.
You mention all labour supporters there, is there not any nats who you wouldn’t like leading the council?
What is your choice out of the current line up?
It is a difficult choice so early in the new council but the line up of bad choices you have is correct, bar Crichton.
You vote far from the right do you, do you not vote then, or do you mean far to the right in which you have Labour and Conservative, You prefer Crichton to Campbell, okay. I’m not keen on Crichton as he is not an honest politician. You can’t be independent if you are a member of a party. As for somebody from the SNP there are a few who could do the job. As you have a problem with the SNP I was prepared to get into a debate.
Who in their right mind would want to debate with a Bad Onion?
For local elections i voted for youth and who was not sitting in the last council.
And for what it’s worth i thought Mr Houston would have made a good leader but unfortunately he is no longer with us. May he rest in peace.
For National elections i vote far left.
If you vote for the far left you must be spoiling your paper. There unfortunately are no far left parties in Scotland/ The SNP are left of centre, the libdums somewhere to the right, Labour are almost far right just behind the conservatives. Labor have not passed any left wing policies since Harold Wilson, they are very insincere the same way as crichton tells us he is independent.
So the point monkey still rides, still getting your subsidies
Bad onion you do talk some crap when talking of honest politicians.
So are you saying Rae Mackenzie and Murdo Maroot were not honest politicians?
Some people believe that party politics should be kept out of local politics which is their God given right.
So before you start spouting more drivel stop and think and look at the history of elected members of CNES.
Keep the Onion despite it being bad, idiots like you live in the past. We are in the 21st century but you personally would not know that. The British Empire has gone, wake up smell the coffee. Do you think naming others from the past who were deceitful makes this right. Two wrongs don’t make a right, It shows how thick you are, We used to have sailing ships, we used to till the ground without tractors. Obviously you want to go back to these days.,
The rest of us prefer to live in the 21st century where some honesty is needed. You must be ashamed of your party when you try to kid people on. I must admit I would not stand up for labour policies either. Do you not have any integrity, or do you just follow orders from your political seniors. You talk about drivel, yet you can’t think for yourself. Somebody must have told you it was drivel.
Keep the bad onion, I bet you were the chap who pulled up outside the spar in a silver ford focus and made gestures. I was buying food at the time. The staff said you were nuts and appeared to know you. The manager and owner were not in at the time. What was that all about ? The staff don’t set the fuel prices, so why give them bother.
I see you did not answer my question about Rae and Murdo.
There again you never answer any questions. When your intelect is as limited as yours the only way you can fight back is with abuse. It is well seen you were not taught any manners as a child.
I hope you enjoyed like I did watching HRH and the British Army, Navy and Air Force remembering those who fell for Queen and Country. It made me proud to be British.
Long may she rule over us.
Anyway with clowns like you the Union is safe.
Oh you really have lost the plot now. I think you should take your medication and have a long sleep.
And by the way I do not have a Silver Ford Focus. Perhaps you can tell us when this took place? Or is it another figment of your imagination.
The reality is that a lamentable number of Western Isles Councillors are feird to speak up……..simple question is do (the Council) they support lower fuel prices in the islands or not, any silence should be regarded as only serving their self interest and not that of the (public) wider community……….consequently one has to ask why this stance is not further questioned or debated locally outwith this blog site, by say the Stornoway Gazette, Free Church and other institutions that are able to do so……it would help !………allow this debate and action to reach a conclusion.
In truth because of the silence by councillors an local institution’s I WELCOME A FAR REACHING INVESTIGATION INTO HOW THIS SMALL COMMUNITY IS RUN…….and let the games begin………..there is a lot that will come out. The present actions are pointing to a corrupt and dishonest lottery of behaviour, that anywhere else would be investigated thoroughly.
It appears (to paraphrase an old saying) that there are rogues, Then Vagabonds & ultimately Politicians (at all levels). Is there any evidence of locally increased sales of Dark Glasses &/or eye shades. to elected persons who spend most of their meeting time spouting hot air. All talk & (little or) no action comes to mind. It seems that at all levels Politicians forget that they were elected to do the will of the people & not to run their own agenda’s/beliefs. God help us if these people are elected to run an Independent Scotland!!
Keep the bad onion it’s bad. I did answer your question but you don’t appear to have the smarties to understand it. Two wrongs don’t make a right, let me explain it thicko. If a person belonging to a party stands for election stands as an independent it is deceiptful. Is this clear enough, the dog next door understands what I’m saying. I understand that maroot has now retired and Rae Mackenzie is an official SNP councillor. Now dopey it was you who started this, I gave Sammy my opinion on the matter when you came in with abuse. Go back and read your comments, you probably don’t understand what you write.
As far as answering questions, were you the chap who pulled into the spar in a silver focus got out a made crazy gestures then drove off ???
This debate is about fuel costs and the attitude of our councillors, not what happened in the past or what tv programmes you watch. If this is beyond your ability go and play and allow the adults to continue the debate.
I shall answer you again. I do not have a Silver Ford Focus so it could not have been me who you imply drove in to Spar making gestures.
And if you looked at the history of CNES Rae Mackenzie was a member of the SNP in the 1980′s and 90′s while standing as an independent councillor and was one of the SNP members who was opposed to party politics at local council level.
I will say this to you once and finish this discussion as you. If there is any thicko on this blog it is Don’t keep the Onion it is bad, as you cannot debate issues without taking personalities in to it.
The only sensible thing you have said is that this is about fuel costs and you should stick to that instead of calling Christian people dishonest.
So goodbye Onion and I look forward to seeing who your next torrent of abuse will be aimed at.
I didn’t ask you if you owned a silver focus, I asked if you were driving a silver focus. You did say previously in an earlier that you visited spar and then went to Gordons. Make your mind up.
As far as Rae Mackenzie’s situtation I did not disagree, what I said is that anyone who is a party member should not stand as an independent. What is your point ?
As far making any contribution to the arguement what have you done ?? Nothing.
You came on here trying to give me abuse defending councillors and party membership. As your pal ian davidson would say “you got a do’in” and you have run away with your tail between your legs.
Cheerio dopey
Keep the Union, I have also come to the conclusion that the Bad Onion, and all his blog alter egos, is seriously disturbed, and, as the eminent psychologist F. Howerd used to advise “It’s wicked to mock the afflicted”, I will endeavour to heed his advice. I will also light a candle for the Bad Onion Junkie at sunset tonight, though I fear it would take a conflagration of candles to clear the many chips on his heaving shoulders.
Many thanks MS. don’t burn yourself. How are things in Point?
Lit six candles, obviously not enough to make a difference to the Bad Onion Junkie, who has developed a new phobia about Point, did the Red Ruachs chase you out at some “point”?
you know there a lot of unanswered questions re the fuel prices. who knew the real story behind the pricing structure there are some glaringly obvious candidates the much vaunted leader of our council for one. if as we are led to believe he is an astute businessman he can only have been to well aware of the consequences of getting into bed with scottish fuels and the the effect the rigged cost of fuel would have on the economy of the western isles . yet throughout the whole debacle he has stayed unusually silent yet.he seems to have an opinion about everything else. who was he serving with his silence was it the people of the western isles or his own self interest ie profit margin i would suggest the latter .it seems to me at least .his duty should have been to the people of the western isles not his pocket book as is all to obvious by his inaction regarding this issue . none of the fuel retailers within the western isles comes out of this issue white as the driven snow even those that were not contracted to scottish fuels as their prices were much about the same [more shame to them ] never the less they are businessmen not elected local politicians like our council leader . i believe that there should be a investigation into these matters not just by the oft but a judical body of some sort ie fraud squad and all those involved be investigated to the fullest extent of the law suppliers and retailers
pps previous comment i have never been comfortable with the infuence of private business over local politics as it all to often leads to conflicts of interest as woud seem to be the case with regards to our council leader never the less he has a choice he can continue as council leader and further disenchant the people of the western isles of the way business is conducted in local politics ie we are told the council has to make cuts our leader is quite vocal about it yet one wonders how many thousands of pounds if not hundreds of thousands would the council have saved had the cost of fuel not been inflated to the extent it was it would seem our council leader had no problem selling fuel at inflated prices thats his business does anyone else see the problem here?.his second choice is to give up his interest in the fuel retailing business or his third choice resign from public office which i believe would be the right thing to do and would go a long way to heal the growing rift between the people of the western isles and this present council
The silence of all the council members who have failed to publicly support the lower fuel prices – speaks volumes of the level of influence and control, that has prevented these individuals from commenting, so much for democracy and “freedom of speech” . The lack of genuine honesty by these people, needs to be held to account by the rest of the Western Isles population, I do hope their will be a proper enquiry into these matters of silence…..”Stornoway Gazette” ? by any chance
Each and every councillor who has failed to answer the simple question ” Which councillors support fuel price cuts ?”, should be asked to explain their silence ……..their silence on this matter makes one wonder just what else is being kept from the populus.
Roll on an in-depth and far reaching investigation into all the issues of concern, related to politics and business in the Western Isles.