Analysis: Scots need more than declarations of change

This remark was met with prolonged applause from the Tory faithful. There appeared to be far more enthusiasm for his denunciation of the euro than for his talk of a modern and radical party that had reclaimed the centre ground.

There was a similar moment in Annabel Goldie's speech. Applause rang out when the Scottish Tories' leader lambasted the SNP's decision to reverse Margaret Thatcher's policy that allowed people to buy their council houses.

So what do those two vignettes tell us about the 1,200 people who travelled to Perth yesterday to see their leader make a key address before the election? One can only assume that these grassroots members are largely Eurosceptic old-style Tories, many of whom revere Mrs T.

That's perhaps why Mr Cameron was unable to say explicitly that he wanted to remove all traces of Mrs Thatcher from today's party in Scotland.

But that was what he was clearly trying to do. Yesterday's speech was hedged in terms that would not annoy the converted, but was aimed at voters beyond the conference hall.

In Scotland, the perceived injustices of Mrs Thatcher's reign are ingrained in the folklore, and Mr Cameron has to dissociate himself from her if he is to make any sort of progress here.

The mood at conference was more optimistic than it has been for years, but it is in the streets and countryside beyond Dewar's Ice Rink where the Conservatives have to make progress.

Mr Cameron's speech was a slick performance, but his critics will argue that it was long on rhetoric and short on substance.

There was much talk of a modern, radical party. But where was the evidence? There were no new policies, no commitment to constitutional change – perhaps not surprising given that so many Tories are against it, despite Ms Goldie signing up to Calman.

The Tories have targeted 11 seats in Scotland, but there might have to be more work on substance if the Mr Cameron is to make serious inroads north of the Border.