Scottish Labour Leader Johann Lamont will today “salute” the passion of independence supporters and urge them to use their energy to help build a more equal society.
In her keynote speech to the Labour conference in Manchester, she will call on all Scottish politicians to use Holyrood to address the “deficit of hope”.
Ms Lamont, Better Together leader Alistair Darling and Shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran are expected to get a warm welcome from delegates following the referendum No vote last week.
However, the historic ballot has also exposed major issues for the party, as tens of thousands of its supporters in heartland areas such as Glasgow, Dundee and Lanarkshire voted Yes.
In an attempt to heal the divisions in Scotland, Ms Lamont will say: “I believe those who sought change through separation were wrong, but I salute their passion for change, I salute their commitment and I ask them to share their energy to us to change Scotland and change Britain and build that society we all seek without borders.
“There is only one goal no matter how the paths may differ. The goal is a truly just society where the talents of all can flourish and the talents of none is wasted.
“One where compassion is not a hope but a guarantee. One where hands stretch out in friendship not to bar the way. One where lifting up our neighbour is not a burden but a privilege.”
The Scottish Labour leader will call on members to do more.
“We built the Scottish Parliament to address a democratic deficit,” she will say.
“Now we must use it to address a deficit of hope. Because at the end of the day powers to parliaments mean nothing if they don’t mean the empowerment of people.”
In her speech, Ms Curran will say the party has to be “honest” and reflect on the reasons why many Labour supporters voted Yes.
“We need to understand more clearly why they are angry and what we need to do about it,” she will say.
“We need to understand why, in areas like Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Dundee, people feel so let down by our country that they want to opt out entirely.”