The referendum was a Pyrrhic victory for Scottish Labour.

A No vote was secured, but Labour heartlands such as Glasgow and North Lanarkshire backed independence.

However, the migration of Labour voters to the SNP cause was symptomatic of a longer-term decline.

Labour lost narrowly to the Nationalists in the 2007 Holyrood election, took a hammering four years later, and were outpolled by the SNP at this year's European parliament poll.

The latest opinion poll for Holyrood puts Labour 15% behind the SNP on the constituency vote, an incredible finding given that Alex Salmond's party has been in power for seven years.

These alarming figures show why the decision of senior Labour activists to produce a radical blueprint for change is long overdue. The members call for a series of ambitious measures: a party name change; a commitment to home rule; full internal autonomy; and a commitment not to join the Tories in another pro-Union campaign.

While organisational change is vital, carving out a bold policy agenda is of greater importance.

It is difficult to remember the last time Scottish Labour produced a policy that captured the imagination of voters. The ban on smoking in public places had that effect, but that was eight years ago.

Personnel is another problem. Scottish Labour has talented members, but too few have been selected as party candidates.

The blueprint, to be discussed next weekend, will not provide a magic cure for Labour's ills, but it could be the beginning of a much-needed conversation.