A Conservative plans to use Westminster legislation to reform the Welsh assembly, even if assembly members opposed their plans, has been condemned by Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

The Conservative manifesto commits the party to establishing an independent review of the workings of the National Assembly. Nigel Evans, the Conservative's Welsh election campaign leader, yesterday told BBC Wales that the review would ensure the assembly works "for the benefit of all the people of Wales".

Evans said his party would accept "sensible" recommendations for reform but did not identify any specific changes that might be made.

Asked if primary legislation would be used for the reforms, Evans said it would be if required. Questioned whether his party would override the assembly, he replied: "Yes, of course, absolutely".

The suggestion that the Conservative's would overrule the assembly's wishes was strongly condemned by both Labour and the Liberal Democrats who work together in the assembly's cabinet.

First minister Rhodri Morgan said the Tories were divided over the assembly's future, with Evans and Nick Bourne, Conservative leader in the assembly, saying different things.

"Nigel Evans wants to see a Tory UK government ride roughshod over the assembly's own wishes, while Nick Bourne valiantly pretends that AMs' views would be taken into account," said Morgan.

The Liberal Democrats accused the Conservatives of putting England before Wales and of treating Wales like a colony.

Richard Livsey, Welsh Lib Dem leader, said: "Nigel Evans has shown he is out of touch with Wales. I suspect that his own party's assembly members will be feeling uncomfortable and that, privately, they will find Mr Evans' views unacceptable."