Michael Howard meets supporters in Cardiff

Mr Howard launched the party's manifesto with a speech at Cardiff's City Hall on Thursday.

He told party members that he wanted and Wales and Britain to remain an "influential" member of the EU.

As well as visiting Cardiff, Mr Howard unveiled the Tory European election manifesto in Manchester and Edinburgh.

The opening of the campaign for the 10 June European parliamentary elections follows Tony Blair's decision to hold a referendum on the EU constitution, which had been a key Tory demand.

Mr Howard told his audience in Cardiff: "We want Britain to remain a positive and influential member of the European Union.

"But we want Britain and Wales to be part of a made-to-measure Europe that welcomes differences"

Mr Howard launched the Tory manifesto at Cardiff's City Hall

The Conservatives' manifesto promises to prevent further handover of powers from Britain to Brussels and pledges to get better value for money from Europe.

The Tories say they will also cut European Union regulation, which Conservatives say are a burden on Welsh businesses.

The manifesto also says that Plaid Cymru, by campaigning for independence for Wales, would weaken Wales' voice in Europe.

The Tories currently have one Euro MP, Jonathan Evans, who leads the UK Conservative group in the European Parliament.

Mr Evans told the manifesto launch in Cardiff: "I view my role as representing Wales and Welsh interests in Europe, rather than representing Europe in Wales like my political opponents."