Controversial plans to cut completely or reduce more than 70 bus services have been discussed by county councillors today.

A cross party committee has decided that the council should consult on the wide-ranging cuts to what are called socially necessary bus services.

The proposals have already caused controversy and were the subject of questions in Parliament yesterday when Labour MP Rosie Duffield challenged the de-facto Deputy Prime Minister Damian Green on the cutbacks.

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He said councils had to live within their means.

But at the meeting today a Labour county councillor said the plans would cost the Conservative KCC leader his job.

Cllr Barry Lewis, who represents Margate, made a furious attack on the proposals at a meeting today.

He said the plans had already caused a furore and showed that the Tories "knew the price of eveything but not the value."

"This will cost Paul Carter his job in the same way that the poll tax cost Margaret Thatcher her job."

When Conservative committee members took exception to the comments he told them to shut up - provoking more disapproval.

Green party councillor Martin Whybrow questioned whether KCC planned to consult first on the criteria that would be used to decide on reductions.

"We are not in land of milk and honey so far as local government finance goes. We need to make every Kentish pound work" - Cllr Matthew Balfour

He also urged the council to set up an all-party committee to mitigate the impact.

"Why haven't we looked at this before instead of reaching cliff edge - some operators are big companies and have a responsibilty to run routes that are not commercial, " he said.

Cabinet member for transport Cllr Matthew Balfour said:"We are not in land of milk and honey so far as local government finance goes. We need to make every Kentish pound work."

He said that behind the scenes KCC was working hard to find alternatives "for those people who need it."

County transport chiefs have sought to play down fears that vital community bus services will disappear completely as part of swingeing budget cuts.

It follows confusion over a list published by the council detailing more than 70 bus routes the council provides subsidies for but is considering either ending or cutting back to save £4 million.

Campaign groups say the services are a lifeline for many and point to research that shows 64% of jobseekers either have no access to a vehicle or cannot drive.

Young people are amongst the biggest users of bus services, while 40 per cent of people over 60 use the bus at least once a week.

A decision on which services KCC would no longer support will be made in December, with consultation beginning in January before a decision is made in May, with contracts with the current operators ending in September.