MPs clashed over Kent's general election prospects as the Conservatives tightened their grip across the county in the local council elections.

Delighted Tories took control in Dartford, Gravesend and Dover and increased their majorities in several other councils. When the last results were in, Maidstone was the only authority in the county not to be under Conservative rule.

Ashford MP and shadow immigration spokesman Damian Green said the results nationally were far better than expected and that Labour was "deluded" if it believed all its MPs in Kent would survive at a general election.

"It is looking good everywhere for us and particularly good in Kent, if you look at the way Labour is in retreat," he said.

But Derek Wyatt, Labour MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, said there would be "all to play for" when Gordon Brown took over.

"David Cameron has not made the breakthrough that he needed in the council elections... it would have helped if the Prime Minister had stood down last August," he said.

Meanwhile, polling experts say that while the results were good for the Conservatives, it did not mean that the party would form the next government.

Ben Page, of MORI, said: "It is good news for the Conservatives in Kent but it is an area where they should be winning. When Labour MPs say there is everything to play for, what they mean is that with a decent following wind and good organisation on the ground, they may survive."

This is how the blue tide rolled across the county:

Ashford: Conservatives took 28 of 43 seats.

Canterbury: Tories took 29 of the 50 seats.

Dartford: Conservatives increased their majority from 21 to 26 to take overall control.

Dover: Their biggest majority for 20 years gave control to the Conservatives.

Gravesham: Tories took over with a 10 seat victory over Labour.

Medway: Tories strengthened their position with 33 seats.

Thanet: An increased majority for the Conservatives who took 33 seats.

More stories and results on our special report>>>