Government and Politics
In terms of local government, from 1975 to 1996, Skye, along with the neighbouring mainland area of Lochalsh, constituted a local government district within the Highland administrative area. In 1996 the district was included into the unitary Highland Council, (Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd) based in Inverness and formed one of the new council's area committees. Following the 2007 elections, Skye now forms a four-member ward called "Eilean a' Cheò"; it is currently represented by two independents, one Scottish National Party, and one Liberal Democrat councillor.
Skye is in the Highlands electoral region and comprises a part of the Ross, Skye and Inverness West constituency of the Scottish Parliament, which elects one member under the first past the post basis to represent it. Currently this is David Thompson for the SNP. In addition, Skye forms part of the wider Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency, which elects one member to the House of Commons in Westminster. The present Member of Parliament is Charles Kennedy MP for the Liberal Democrats, a former leader of the party who has represented the area since the 1983 general election.
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