council area. That same area became one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland in 1996. The council area is known also as Na h-Eileanan Siar. Politics The seat had been a two-way marginal between the Labour Party and the Scottish National Party for many years. In 2005 it became a safe seat for the Scottish National Party. This trend was reversed in the 2017 general election, when the SNP suffered a swing against them for the first time since 1997, but at the 2019 general election the constituency became a safe seat for the SNP again. For the Conservatives, their vote has increased in recent years, since losing their deposit in the 2005 and 2010 elections. During the 2014 Scottish independence referendum the constituency voted against independence by a margin of 53.42% (10,544) to 46.58% (9,195) in favour on a turnout of 86.2% The constituency is notable for having the highest percentage of Scottish Gaelic speakers of any Scottish constituency. Members of Parliament Election results Elections of the 2010s Elections of the 2000s Elections of the 1990s Elections of the 1980s Elections of the 1970s Elections of the 1960s Elections of the 1950s Elections of the 1940s Elections of the 1930s Elections of the 1920s Elections of the 1910s References Constituencies of the Parliament of the United Kingdom established in 1918 Westminster Parliamentary constituencies in Scotland Politics of the county of Inverness Politics of the county of Ross and Cromarty