Ten days previously, Jim Murphy made a speech in Glasgow's east end.

A few dozen members of the party faithful turned up to hear the then-leadership candidate's thoughts on welfare. He mingled with members of the audience as a few aides twiddled their thumbs, realising they'd printed far too many copies of a speech which only a couple of reporters had bothered to attend. Space had needlessly been set aside for tv cameras.

The venue chosen for his first major appearance as Scottish Labour Leader was just a ten minute walk away, but location was about the only thing these two events had in common. A week is a long time in politics.

The problem was not too many speeches, but not enough seats. Flustered staffers make repeat trips to store cupboards to source chairs for late-arriving grandees. The less-esteemed had no choice but to cram into the Recital Room in City Halls as best they could.

The sought-after pews were deserted en masse as soon as Jim, with new deputy Kez Dugdale in tow, strode in. There would be two more rapturous standing ovations before he opened his mouth.

There was talk of rediscovered energy and a party reborn, no longer answering to London. He set out his own 'clause four moment', mentioning Tony Blair for a second time. If 'branch office' is a tag to be jettisoned at all costs, Blairite appears to be one Mr Murphy is more than comfortable with.

"Why send someone to the House of Commons to fight with a Tory government when you can send someone who can replace the Tory Government?", he bellowed, almost bringing the 130-year-old house down. The crowd here, at least, was convinced.