Labour needs to 'pick itself up'

Scottish Labour's deputy leader Cathy Jamieson said the months since losing power at Holyrood had been "difficult".

She added the party had to learn from the past, pick itself up, roll up its sleeves and "get on with the job".

The MSP acknowledged that too much time was spent on the detail of the election manifesto and not enough on taking the party's vision to the people.

Ms Jamieson added: "I take my share of the responsibility for that. But it is time to move on."

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British aid 'puts children into school'

Britain's role in aid for poor countries was saluted at the Labour conference by International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander.

He said Labour's move to transform the Department for International Development into a full government department had profound consequences.

"Our aid, British aid, has put six million more children into school in Ethiopia," said Mr Alexander.

He added that the department represented Labour values.

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Murphy's warning to SNP on Europe

Europe Minister Jim Murphy has insisted that an independent Scotland would have to apply to join the European Union.

The Eastwood MP made clear that it was the UK that was the member of the European community.

He stressed that if Scotland "split apart" from Britain, it was the rest of the UK that would remain in Europe.

Mr Murphy said: "Scotland is a unique active member of a double union. It's a unique double union from which Scotland draws strength."