"The Conservative Party is showing increased hostility to the European Union. Having read Michael Howard's catalogue of complaints about the current terms of membership - incidentally, most of which were negotiated by previous Tory governments - one begins to wonder whether his commitment to continued British membership of the EU is genuine.
"The truth is that the Tories have painted themselves into a corner over Europe. Intimidated by the far right, the modern Conservative Party has completely sacrificed its pro-European past.
"It is clear that the Tories' continued membership of the federalist European People's Party in the European Parliament is a completely untenable.
"The Conservatives should be more honest about their intentions over Europe.
"Many pro-European Tory voters tell us they are thinking of switching to the Lib Dems next Thursday."
