SUPPORTERS of the UK Independence Party who feel strongly about European issues should vote Conservative at the next general election. Failure to do so could send Tony Blair back to Downing Street and give more power to Europe. That was the message from Tory leader Michael Howard during his visit to Tavistock last Friday. Mr Howard, on his first visit to the constituency since he became party leader a year ago, agreed that if the Conservatives were to form the next government, they would have to win constituencies such as West Devon and Torridge. The seat is currently held by the Liberal Democrats. At the European elections in June, UKIP topped the poll in West Devon and Torridge, with much of its support believed to have come from former Tory voters. But Mr Howard told the Times that at a general election only two parties could realistically form a government. He said: ?It?s a choice between the Labour Party, which would say yes to the euro and yes to the European constitution and would give more power from Britain to Brussels, and the Conservative Party, which would say no to the euro and no to the constitution and would take powers back from Brussels to Britain.? But he stressed that the Conservatives would not pull Britain out of the European Union. ?We would not withdraw. I?m being absolutely straightforward about this.? Mr Howard said people had voted UKIP for a number of reasons, but he admitted that for those UKIP voters who wanted to come out of the European Union the Conservatives were not giving them 100% of what they want. ?But if you feel strongly about European issues, it?s pretty clear what choice you should make. ?Every vote for a party other than the Conservative Party is likely to send Mr Blair back to Downing Street.? Mr Howard arrived in West Devon on the day the Commons voted to ban hunting. Mr Howard, who opposes the ban, said: ?We are absolutely pledged to giving parliament the opportunity to reverse the ban if we win the election.? But he said the decision to ban hunting was part of ?something much bigger?. ?It?s part of the increasing interference by this government in the way in which people run their lives. ?It?s all part of the taking away of people?s freedoms. It?s a very dangerous and sinister path along which this government is travelling. ?They are taking away our freedoms. Yesterday it was the freedom to hunt, the day before it was the freedom to smoke in a public place.? Mr Howard said smoking in public places should be ?a matter of people?s choice?. ?I believe in trusting people ? trust the people.? he said. West Devon and Torridge?s prospective Tory candidate Geoffrey Cox said he was ?not worried? about UKIP. ?I hope to persuade those people who are inclined or sympathetic to the idea of voting UKIP that in this constituency the best thing they can possibly do for our country is to vote Conservative,? he said. West Devon and Torridge is held by Liberal Democrat John Burnett with a majority of 1,194. He is not seeking re-election. The Liberal Democrats have selected former television reporter David Walter as their prospective candidate. UKIP members have chosen solicitor Matthew Jackson.