Michael Howard became leader on Thursday

At the Welsh Conservative Forum meeting in Cardiff on Saturday, it was claimed that the party have new opportunities under Mr Howard's leadership.

Senior members of the UK party have attended the forum, including shadow Welsh secretary Nigel Evans, shadow health secretary Liam Fox and shadow international development secretary Caroline Spelman.

Commenting on the forthcoming reshuffle of the UK shadow cabinet, Nigel Evans stressed the need for a strong Welsh voice within it.

However, he said the structure of the new cabinet was a matter for Mr Howard.

Mr Howard became the new leader on Thursday after nobody else came forward to challenge for the job.

Wasteful

The Conservative assembly leader Nick Bourne echoed Mr Evans' views, saying Mr Howard's Welsh background would be a great advantage for the party in Wales.

Mr Bourne stressed the Conservatives in Wales would continue to campaign against what he considered the wasteful policies of the assembly government.

These included free school breakfasts, free prescriptions for all, and the new assembly building.

Money should be spend instead on health services in Wales, he said.