Conservative leader Michael Howard yesterday promised to set a date for the referendum on the European constitution on the first day of an incoming Tory government.

In his keynote speech to the party's annual conference in Bournemouth, Mr Howard said if the general election was called for next May and the Tories won, the EU referendum would be held before the next party conference a year from now. The Tories are campaigning for a "no" vote.

Mr Howard appeared to make a direct appeal to UKIP supporters to rally beneath the Tory banner.

He told conference: "My message is simple. If you want to bring powers back from Brussels to Britain, whatever party you're from, come and join us."

There was a similar appeal beyond the ranks of the Tory party on pensions.

Mr Howard accused Chancellor Gordon Brown of presiding over the reduction of Britain's pension system into one of the worst in Europe.

He promised: "In our first month, David Willetts (now shadow work and pensions secretary) will take steps to restore the link between pensions and earnings. There'll be an extra £7 a week if you live on your own and an extra £11 a week for a couple.

On tax, the Tory leader insisted he would not issue a "false prospectus" setting out cuts to specific taxes though he stressed: "When I can, I will cut taxes."

Mr Howard acknowledged in 1992 the Tories had promised to cut taxes year-on-year but subsequently increased them. But he said Labour had promised no tax increases and raised them 66 times.

Mr Howard promised: "We will only promise what we can deliver. What we start, we will follow through.

"We will give people clear measures against which we can be judged. That's why we're setting out a clear Timetable for Action. What we'll do. When we'll do it. Specific times, specific dates."