The Conservatives have set out new plans for the reform of the EU.

In a Times interview, the shadow foreign secretary, Francis Maude, argues for a "radical" power shift in the union away from the European commission to a beefed-up council of ministers that would take over the "day-by-day, week-by-week" running of Europe.

Under the Tory plans the commission would assume the role of an impartial civil service and the UK would create a new cabinet ministerial post to take direct control of negotiations in the EU. The new minister would spend at least half his week in Brussels.

William Hague will call for two special European summits to achieve the reforms if the Conservatives win the general election.