Labour’s leader In Scotland has accused the SNP of being so focused on campaigning for a second independence referendum that governing has become its “second priority”.
Kezia Dugdale condemned Nicola Sturgeon’s party’s record on schools, the NHS and bridging the gap between the richest and rest.
Rather than dealing with the challenges Scotland faces, she told activists in Brighton, it was intent on continuing “an argument that the vast majority of Scots don’t want to have”.
Shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray criticised the SNP in his speech to conference, accusing the party of campaigning like lions, but governing like mice.
He said it was time for Labour to reclaim the spirit of the early days of devolution, when talk was about what could be achieved rather than what could not.
But the SNP said while Labour was making “inward-looking” speeches, it was getting on with the job of standing up for Scotland and delivering.
Aberdeen-born Ms Dugdale, who grew up in Elgin, said: “The SNP have had the chance to change our schools, change our hospitals for the better. But the truth is they haven’t.
“Devolution was meant to deliver better run schools and hospitals, with power closer to the people affected.
“Instead we have a government in Edinburgh whose priority is campaigning for another referendum and not governing for a better Scotland.
“I will hold a mirror up to the government in Scotland and keep on asking ‘surely this is not the best we can be?’.”
She also criticised her own predecessors, accusing them of getting the balance between listening and acting wrong.
Despite pledging to “do something about it”, she did not unveil any new policies in her 10-minute speech to conference, her first since she was elected.
Mr Murray, Labour’s only MP north of the border, said his party would never let the constitution get in the way of its ambitions for Scotland.
He said the SNP had more power in its hands than ever before, but warned they “never really wanted” the Scotland Bill.
“If the SNP turn their backs on these powers, they will be turning their backs on Scotland,” he added.
“I won’t put politics before Scotland’s best interests. I will fight, and fight, and fight again to ensure that Scotland gets the powerhouse parliament it deserves.”
He also called on David Cameron to accept Labour’s proposed changes to the legislation, saying it should herald a “new era” for the Scottish Parliament.
Ms Dugdale’s message to the prime minister was on the European Union, accusing him of “dangerous politics” and not being able to see further than his party.
SNP MSP Linda Fabiani dismissed the Scottish Labour leader’s speech as “more of the same tired, old, negative lines” and “indicative of a party that is all out of ideas”.