JEREMY Corbyn has embraced Keir Hardie's vision of the "sunshine of socialism" as he sought to position Labour firmly to the left of the SNP ahead of May's Holyrood election.

The UK leader made repeated references to solidarity and socialism throughout his keynote speech, saying the energy of the referendum campaign could be harnessed alongside the historic message from the party's first MP as he attacked the "narow, nasty, divisive" Conservatives and the Scottish Government's record on the NHS, housing and education.

In a thinly-veiled attack on the SNP, which he did not mention by name, Mr Corbyn said he believed all politics today - not just constitutional politics - was as important as last year's referendum vote.

Saying that Labour was a socialist party in "both words and deeds", he said Scotland's "radical tradition" had inspired him throughout his political career and that winning in Scotland in six months would be a priority.

He added: "If you want socialist change, if you want a left wing alternative, you have to vote for it."

In one of several references to Hardie, the Lanarkshire-born founding father of the Labour movement who died a century ago this year, Mr Corbyn said: "Our mission now is the same as that which he laid out 21 years into the Labour Party's life when he said that the movement would not rest until 'the sunshine of socialism and human freedom break forth upon our land.

"I couldn't think of a better prescription for what our country needs to break through the narrow, nasty, divisive politics of the Conservatives."

Turning his attention to the record of the Scottish Government, he said that 6,000 children a year were leaving primary school unable to read properly while teacher numbers had been cut by 4,000.

He added: "In that great vehicle for a second chance and social change - the college system - there are 140,000 fewer students going to college. It's not right, not fair, not necessary.

"In the health service, Audit Scotland warned only last week of the pressure there is on our cherished National Health Service. Seven of the nine targets missed and a real terms budget cut.

"It is a national scandal that a baby born this afternoon, in our most deprived communities, will become ill and die decades earlier than a baby born in one of the most prosperous parts of this country."

Mr Corbyn, who was given a warm reception by delegates, said that Scottish Labour campaigns, management of party affairs and candidates would be decided north of the border, but emphasised that "solidarity" across the UK would be retained despite more devolved internal decision making.

The Islington North MP, who was elected leader in September, said: "I am proud that we are a UK wide democratic socialist party. I believe in the words that are written on all of our membership cards - that we achieve more together than we can alone... There will still be a united Labour movement. Working across Britain in the way we always have."

In response to the speech, Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said the party's "big relaunch has flopped on day one".

She added: "Mr Corbyn says the party must lurch to the left. Kezia Dugdale doesn't seem to know whether to back him or not.

"This conference is exposing the plain fact that Scottish Labour isn't up to the job of offering an alternative to the SNP. It is the Scottish Conservatives which will provide that alternative, with a sensible, moderate plan, standing up for all those who want Scotland to stay part of the United Kingdom."