Goldie: public opinion is changing

Scottish Tories rally against devolution

The conference, which takes place amid speculation about a possible split with the Conservatives in England, is being described as the most important in the Scottish Tories' 115-year history. However, the party's president, David McLetchie, has said the conference will not make a final decision on the partyıs future.

Mr McLetchie said: "You can't reorganise a political party, rewrite a constitution and all the rest if it in an hour-and-a-half at a conference." Mr McLetchie also said that a split from the English party was unlikely.

The chairman of the Scottish party, Annabel Goldie, predicted that there would be a dramatic change in public opinion towards devolution now that the election was over. She said: "When people are presented with the freedom of choice which has nothing to do with party politics, different conclusions are going to be reached because their prime objective has been obtained. They wanted the Tories out, they have got the Tories out."

The conference condemns the government's proposed devolution referendum in the autumn as fatally flawed. But Ms Goldie ruled out the prospect of a blank cheque from party funds to finance the "No" campaign.