A prominent member of Western Isles SNP has quit the party.
Andrew Walker, secretary of the Uist and Barra branch, said it was “so overwhelming” to face so many opposing views from the party’s basic policy.
The former council candidate said an independent Scotland remaining in NATO gives an ambiguous message over using of nuclear weapons.
Mr Walker hit out at the withdrawal of haulage road equivalent tariff.
He stated: “I felt distinctly undermined as a candidate at the time of the local government elections in May 2012 by the policy being pursued by the SNP re Road Equivalent Tariff for Commercial Vehicles (RET).
“We have an SNP Government in power at Holyrood, an SNP MSP and SNP MP, yet still pursuing transport/ferry policies detrimental to many businesses and the population of these islands.
“How can we justify another increase this coming April? This is viewed by the electorate as a clear "own goal", and the SNP administration will be held accountable.”
Mr Walker, who is a former social work manager, said central Government was not protecting the Western Isles from funding cuts.
He said Comhairle nan Eilean Siar services cuts “has come about as a direct result of Central Government budget deficit austerity cut backs at Westminster and Holyrood.”
He added: “The Western Isles' constituency is one of the most fragile in Scotland and local government services here depend more on central government funding than anywhere else in Scotland.
“In short, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is a "special case" and should have received more protection from Holyrood, with our MP and MSP beating this drum to better effect.
“Social care services to our most vulnerable citizens are being pruned back beyond acceptable levels, and we have the highest proportion of citizens in Scotland living in the ghastly category of "fuel poverty."
“CnES staff working in the front-
“Why should we be surprised that sickness absences are increasing? We should be showing
more concern for their physical and mental well-
Marybell Galbraith, convenor of the Uist and Barra branch of the SNP said she was sorry Mr Walker was leaving.
Ms Galbraith said: “These things happen in politics. Personally, I am very sorry to see him go. I got on very well with Andrew.
“But we have an excellent MP and MSP and some very good people working for the party so it is unlikely to make much difference.”
