THE Liberal Democrats are the "guarantors of change" as champions of Home Rule, and a brake on the power of the Conservatives at Westminster, Scots party leader Willie Rennie said.

He characterised his party as "constructive when we can be, awkward when we have to be, on the side of ordinary people, punching above our weight, with strong liberal voices, delivering for Scotland".

Much of his conference speech was a direct criticism of the style and substance of SNP leader Alex Salmond, who he accused of cosying up to billionaires.

He said: "Our First Minister prefers to court the rich and powerful rather than the dispossessed and the vulnerable.

"Giggling on the golf course with Donald Trump who denies climate change. Up the back of the bus with Brian Souter, the man who denies gay people equality in our Scotland. And now he's got Rupert Murdoch on speed dial, inviting him round for fireside chats at Bute House.

"Rupert, Brian and Donald: the would-be midwives of independent Scotland. It's too much time with billionaires, not enough time with the dispossessed and vulnerable."

He insisted he would be prepared to work with the SNP to get more powers for Holyrood but only after a no vote in the referendum on independence.

He spoke of an "ugly side" to the SNP, saying: "If they are not careful they will cause Scotland to become a divided country, setting Scot against Scot for a generation.

"My message to the SNP is simple: please don't question my loyalty to my nation just because I don't agree with your policy.

"It's not all of those in the Nationalist camp. There are many sincere, generous, liberal-minded people in the SNP. But it is their behind-the-scenes stalkers and abusers who need to be tackled."

He said the SNP may survive a defeat in the referendum, adding: "We and they could well be able to work together afterwards to shape a home rule future for Scotland."

Mr Rennie knows his party is paying a price in Scotland for being in coalition with the Tories at Westminster, but said: "Without us there would be no tax cut for those on low and middle incomes, no £5 pension rise, no £1 billion youth contract, no protection for post offices, no rural fuel discount, no Scotland Bill with more powers for the Scottish Parliament and children would still be detained at Dungavel daily."