A long serving Western Isles SNP activist has announced he will stand against his party as an independent candidate at the May council elections.
Iain Don Maciver will have to resign from the party -
Mr Maciver is refusing to stand on the party ticket after RET was withdrawn from lorries.
Mr Maciver, from Lower Bayble, Lewis, is Cal Mac’s Stornoway port manager and deals with the island’s haulage industry on a daily basis.
The ferry operator has seen a boost in ferry bookings from tourists and islanders since the flagship SNP policy was trialled in the Western Isles leading to many extra vehicles using the sea routes to the Hebrides.
Mr Maciver is a strong advocate for RET and is dismayed island commercial vehicles are no longer eligible for the scheme.
He indicates he is still strongly opposed to the Labour Party which condemned the reduced fares policy.
Mr Maciver said: “Following much soul searching and self examination, along with deep discussion with my wife and children and many friends and acquaintances, I have decided to put myself forward as an independent candidate in the Sgire an Rubha ward at the council election in May.”
He added: “This is not a decision that I have arrived at easily, especially as it means that I have to give up my SNP membership.
“But given the abandonment of RET for commercial vehicles, which is going to have such a detrimental impact on the islands, I see no other choice for me.
“Having said all that, I find the reaction of the Labour Party pitiful, especially given their negativity to RET from the outset and I totally refute their statements which only emphasise how out of touch they are with the electorate in our islands.”
SNP activist stands against official party candidate 11/2/12