SCOTTISH LibDem leader Willie Rennie, right, is to offer to work with the SNP on securing greater powers for Holyrood if there is a No vote in the independence referendum.

In the closing speech to his party's poorly attended conference in Inverness, Rennie will say the LibDems can act as "guarantors of change" on the constitution. Referring to recent comments by Alistair Darling and Prime Minister David Cameron on more powers, Rennie will say there is now a clear cross-party consensus on extending devolution. He will argue that, assuming Scottish independence is rejected in 2014, the LibDems can play a major role in developing what comes next. Party sources say Rennie will also open up the possibility of joint working with the SNP to deliver a stronger Scottish Parliament

Rennie will say the LibDems, with their historic support for home rule, can best guide the other parties, which are "only taking their first, hesitant, infant steps". Welcoming the "growing clamour for change across Britain", he will tell delegates: "We will need to be the ones who bring people together and bring people along.

"We will be the guarantors of change. We have wanted home rule for one hundred years."