All 25 seats to Shetland Islands Council 13 seats needed for a majority
First party
Second party
Third party
Leader
Edward Thomason
Bill Smith
Party
Independent
Shetland Movement
Labour
Leader's seat
Lerwick Harbour
Lerwick Central
Last election
16
5
5
Seats won
16
7
1
Seat change
0
2
3
Popular vote
1,962
1,083
246
Percentage
56.9%
31.4%
7.1%
Swing
10.0%
17.8%
9.5%
Fourth party
Leader
Leonard Groat
Party
Independent Labour
Leader's seat
Lerwick North
Last election
0
Seats won
1
Seat change
1
Popular vote
0
Percentage
0.0[a]
Swing
New
The result of the election
Council Convener before election
Edward Thomason Shetland Movement
Council Convener after election
Edward Thomason Shetland Movement
An election to the Shetland Islands Council was held on 3 May 1990 as part of regional elections. Independents maintained control of the 25 seat council. The Shetland Movement gained two seats, bringing their total to seven. The Scottish National Party and Liberal Democrats also ran candidates for the first time.
Former Labour councillor Leonard Groat stood on an Independent Labour ticket in protest against his party's support for the closure of Montfield Hospital in Lerwick.[1]