THE proposed constituency boundary changes could leave Scotland with the lowest levels of representation in Westminster in over a century.

The SNP have said the plans show independence is "the only way to keep Scotland safe from damaging Westminster decisions being imposed against our will".

An analysis from the House of Commons Library has revealed Tory plans to cut the number of Scottish MPs by two - from 59 to 57 - would reduce the percentage of Scottish representation down to just 8.8%.

According to the analysis this is the lowest level since at least 1918 - when the voting franchise was extended allowing women over the age of 30 (with a property quota) to vote for the first time, as well as all men over the age of 21.

READ MORE: Cambo: Youth activists confront Shell CEO at TED talk

The figures also show a drop of a quarter from the peak of 74 MPs (12%) over the past century.

There were 74 Scottish MPs between 1918 and 1922, out of a total of 707 seats, giving Scotland 10.5% representation.

This rose to a peak of 12% representation between 1922 and 1945 when there were a total of 615 seats, with the number of MPs remaining at 74.

The number of Scottish MPs was reduced again in 1950 to 71 seats. At that point there were 630 Westminster seats in total, dropping to 11.3% representation for Scots.

The National:

The number of MPs rose by only one in 1983 to 72 (11.1%) when the number of MPs increased to 650.

The number of Scots MPs was slashed again in 2005 to 59, giving Scots only 9.1% representation in the House of Commons as a whole out of 656 MPs.

This meant Scottish MPs were cut by almost a fifth (18%) and 13 seats in total were lost.

The proposed plans, giving Scotland 57 MPs out of 650, would give Scots only 8.8% representation.

Tommy Sheppard MP said: "The only way to keep Scotland safe from damaging Westminster decisions being imposed against our will is to become an independent country - with full control over our democracy and the full powers needed to build a stronger, fairer and greener future.

READ MORE: BBC Debate Night: Oliver Mundell squirms in Brexit debate with Michael Stewart

"In 2014, people in Scotland were promised that if we voted against independence we would lead the UK as an equal partner - but those promises were broken and lie in tatters.

"Gordon Brown pledged we'd have the closest thing to federalism within two years if we voted 'no' - but instead Scotland's representation at Westminster is being cut to its lowest level in modern times, we've been dragged out of the EU against our will, we're facing another round of austerity cuts, and the Tories are grabbing powers away from the Scottish Parliament.

"These Tory cuts would see Scotland's voice and voting power in the UK Parliament reduced to its weakest level in more than a century - leaving Scotland outvoted and vulnerable under Westminster control.

"It's clearer than ever that the Westminster system is broken beyond repair - and independence is the only way to protect Scotland and build a fairer future."

The National:

It comes as Douglas Ross (pictured) criticised the plans and accused the Boundary Commission of wanting to “carve up” his constituency.

Ross - who said he won’t be running in the next General Election - said he could not support plans to split Moray into three newly named seats, Highland East and Elgin, Banff and Buchan, and Gordon and Moray South.

We told earlier how existing seats such as Moray, Ross, Skye and Lochaber and North East Fife are set to see the biggest changes.

And, Scotland isn’t the only devolved nation set to take a hit under the plans - with Wales set to lose eight MPs, while England will gain 10.