Michael Howard will today attempt to persuade Tory voters to reject the option of backing the UK Independence Party in the forthcoming European elections.

The move comes after opinion polls have suggested that UKIP's campaign, which has received celebrity endorsements, is causing Conservative support to stall.

According to the latest YouGov survey, the Conservatives will gain 27 per cent support, while 23 per cent will go to Labour, 21 per cent will support the UKIP, Lib Dems will attract 16 per cent and the Greens six per cent.

Officials said the Conservative leader will use the speech at a Hampshire hotel to call for change in the European Union, making it more modern and flexible, doing less but doing it better.