Howard: Doesn't want to be part of a country called Europe

Launching the Conservatives' European election campaign, he warned that the proposed treaty would give the EU "all the trappings of statehood".

Under Tory rule, 25% of existing EU regulations would be scrapped, he said.

He also repeated his challenge to Tony Blair for a televised debate on the constitution.

'Influential' member

Mr Howard unveiled his party's manifesto for the 10 June European parliamentary elections during flying visits to Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff.

It follows Tony Blair's U-turn on a referendum on the EU constitution, which had been a key Tory demand.

The architect of the EU constitution says Britain will not be saying 'no' to membership of Europe if voters reject it in a referendum UK 'can vote no and stay in EU'

Mr Howard insisted he wanted Britain to remain a "positive and influential" member of the EU.

But he argued that the proposed constitution would undermine the UK's ability to determine its own policies on asylum, law and order and the economy.

"It would give the European Union the trappings of statehood - its own president, foreign minister and legal system," he said.

'Turn back the tide'

Mr Howard said he did not want to see a Europe that demanded "the sacrifice of independence as the price of independence".

But the focus of his speech was his pledge to outlaw "unnecessary" EU regulations.

He told supporters in Manchester: "Conservatives want to turn back the tide of regulation.

"Unnecessary, disproportionate and outdated regulations really must be scrapped.

"We will promote flexibility for business to flourish. We want to get rid of at least 25% of all existing EU regulations ..." he said.

'No means no'?

The Tories would introduce "sunset clauses" for all new regulations, so they expired automatically after a set period of time.

"Conservative policy is simply - live and let live. Flourish and let flourish."

He stressed: "I am determined Britain will remain a positive and influential member of the EU, but I don't want a Europe that's a one way street to closer integration to which all must subscribe.

"Those member states which wish to integrate should be free to do so. But they should not drag Britain, and quite possibly other member states, kicking and screaming in their wake.

The Conservatives currently have 36 out of 87 UK seats in the European parliament, the largest number held by a UK political party. This number will fall to 78 after EU enlargement.

Realism

Mr Howard was speaking after Valery Giscard D'Estaing, the architect of the EU constitution, argued that Britain would not be saying 'no' to membership of Europe, if it votes against the treaty.

He warned that the UK would instead be left on the edges of Europe, away from the main core of decision making.

Mr Howard said Mr Giscard d'Estaing had given the lie to suggestions that a 'no' vote would take Britain out of the EU.

"He specifically said it is not a yes or no to Europe," Mr Howard told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

He said it was "unrealistic" to suggest the constitution was the final word on the EU.