The Conservatives want to achieve a four per cent swing at the European elections, with instructions to campaigners to use "any issue" to galvanise voters.

A leaked internal document seen by the Independent shows that the Conservatives believe the target can be achieved with 40 per cent of the national vote - compared to 36 per cent last time.

The presentation, entitled European Election 2004 Campaign Planning, was compiled by the Conservatives' new elections official, David Canzini, who has just been appointed head of a new Central Office unit focusing on winning seats.

The document instructs activists to "work in the areas that deliver Conservative votes" including "Conservative wards both safe and marginal" and "opposition wards where we have a good vote".