Plaid Cymru has said it expects to pick up support from former Labour voters across Wales.

Speaking to ePolitix.com this week, MEP Jill Evans said the party's opposition to the Iraq war was a key issue for voters.

"When we set out our manifesto, it was very much a campaigning manifesto dealing with key themes like food safety, our opposition to GM foods, local procurement and fair trade issues, workers' rights, job creation and so on," she said.

"These kind of themes people don't automatically associate with Europe, but mostly stem from Europe and Europe plays a key part in all that legislation.

"So we did have a very clear manifesto and a very clear campaign, but it became apparent that people were using this election to express their views on Iraq.

"And I can understand that because millions of people were protesting and marching against the war last year and they were ignored.

"It is inevitable really that this is the only opportunity they have to really show the government what they feel over this."

Evans was also upbeat about the support the party is hoping to gain.

"I am optimistic about the support we have had and the support we will get," she told this website.

"The overwhelming message of the campaign has been from voters who won't vote Labour this time, and we have come across thousands of people who have said that to us over the past four or five months.

"We have been saying to those people that if they really want to protest against the New Labour government then they should do it by voting for Plaid Cymru.

"By electing two Plaid Cymru members of the European parliament they will be making a much more effective and much louder protest than if they just don't vote at all."