Elections to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) were held on 3 May 2012, the same day as the other Scottish local government elections. The election was the second one using the 9 wards created as a result of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004.^[1] Each ward elected three or four Councillors using the single transferable vote system: a form of proportional representation. A total of 31 Councillors were elected.

Quick Facts All 31 seats to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar 16 seats needed for a majority, First party ...

2012 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar election

← 2007 3 May 2012 (2012-05-03) 2017 →
All 31 seats to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar 16 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Leader Angus Campbell Donald Manford Archie K. Campbell Party Independent SNP Labour Leader's seat Steòrnabhagh a Deas Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eirisgeigh agus Uibhist a Deas Beinn Na Foghla agus Uibhist a Tuath Last election 25 seats, 80.6% 4 seats, 12.9% 2 seats, 6.5% Seats before 25 5 1 Seats won 21 7 3 Seat change 4 3 1 Popular vote 8,211 2,733 523 Percentage 71.6% 23.8% 4.6% Swing 7.2% 11.7% 2.1%
Map of council wards
Council Leader before election Angus Campbell Independent Council Leader after election Angus Campbell Independent

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Independent councillors retained the large majority of seats on the council and retained control of the administration. The Scottish National Party increased their representation, gaining 4 seats on the Isle of Lewis while losing 1 seat on Barra. The Scottish Labour Party also gained an additional seat.

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Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Local Election Result 2012

Party		Seats	Gains	Losses	Net gain/loss	Seats %	Votes %	Votes	+/−
	Independent	21	1	5	4	67.7	71.6	8,211	7.2
	SNP	7	4	1	3	22.6	23.8	2,733	11.7
	Labour	3	2	1	1	9.7	4.6	523	2.1

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Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes. The net gain/loss and percentage changes relate to the result of the previous Scottish local elections on 3 May 2007. This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at dissolution of Scotland's councils.

• † Sgir' Uige Agus Ceann A Tuath Nan Loch SNP Cllr Bill Houston died on 15 September 2012. A by-election was held on 29 November 2012 and was won by the Independent Angus MacDonald Morrison.^[2]
• †† Sgir' An Taobh Siar agus Nis Independent Cllr Kenneth MacLeod Murray died on 23 December 2014.^[3] A by-election was to be held to fill the vacancy on 12 March 2015. Only Independent Alistair MacLennan was nominated and was deemed elected.^[4]
• ††† Beinn Na Foghla Agus Uibhist A Tuath Labour Cllr Archie K. McDonald resigned due to health reasons on 25 January 2015.^[5] A by-election was held to fill the vacancy on 26 March 2015 and the seat was won by the Independent Andrew Walker.
• †††† Sgir' An Taobh Siar agus Nis Independent Cllr Iain Morrison died on 31 July 2015 after a battle with cancer.^[6] A by-election was held to fill the vacancy on 7 October 2015 and was won by the Independent John MacLeod.^[7]

• Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eirisgeigh agus Uibhist a Deas: Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay and South Uist
• Beinn Na Foghla agus Uibhist a Tuath: Benbecula and North Uist
• Na Hearadh agus Ceann a Deas Nan Loch: Harris and South Lewis
• Sgir' Uige agus Ceann a Tuath Nan Loch: Mid Lewis
• Sgire an Rubha: Eye Peninsula
• Steòrnabhagh a Deas: Stornoway South
• Steòrnabhagh a Tuath: Stornoway North
• Loch a Tuath: Broad Bay
• An Taobh Siar agus Nis: North West Lewis