THE Scottish Conservative conference in Stirling this weekend had the air of a siege.

As more than 400 protesters clamoured noisily outside against Tory welfare cuts yesterday, behind the security line less than half that number of delegates rattled around a hall that exposed their low numbers.

There were even rows of empty seats for the Prime Minister's fleeting turn on Friday.

Ruth Davidson fared little better, failing to get a full house, and being upstaged by the former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling.

His appearance at a Better Together fringe meeting after she finished her speech – and the evident gratitude of his audience at hearing a clear, sharp, simple case for the Union after Davidson's meandering address – overshadowed her.

Yet Davidson's speech had its moments. When she warned her party it could "hold to the old ways and follow a path of slow decline" or modernise may have been received with a frosty silence by the membership, but the analysis was correct.

Also interesting was her advocacy of more powers for Holyrood in the event of a No vote. "Scotland has moved on, and we have to move on too," she said. "So a 'no' vote next year won't be a vote for 'no change'. Scotland wants change; needs change; and we are committed to helping deliver it." There were also promises of "opportunity vouchers" for parents to send their children to good local schools, a "guarantee" of an annual respite week for full-time carers, and talk of using the tax powers of the Scottish Parliament to cut the tax burden on the people.

It was ironic that these pledges came with an attack on Alex Salmond for purveying a fantasy vision of a problem-free Scotland after independence, as Davidson's promises relied on the demonstrable fantasy of her leading the Conservatives into power at Holyrood.

It fed the sense of a party which had holed up to talk soothingly to itself instead of facing the public anger under its nose.

But Davidson is not wholly impotent. On the more powers issue she has influence.

If there is a No vote, David Cameron's reaction will be critical, and if Davidson were pushing for a form of devo plus or fiscal autonomy, that could be key to what happens next.

The double irony, therefore, is that she is failing to use the clout she has. Her devolution commission has yet to meet. Announced in March, Davidson only finished completing its line-up yesterday.

If Davidson wants to restore Tory credibility, she must have a package of serious proposals this year.

If that happens, voters may give her party the second look she craves.