Two Kent MPs have expressed their disappointment over Labour’s catastrophic defeat in the ‘super-safe seat’ of Glasgow East.

Medway MP, Bob Marshall-Andrews and Thanet MP Dr Stephen Ladyman were sad to hear that the Labour majority of 13,507 was demolished as the Scottish National Party won by 365 votes.

But both stressed that, though tempting as it was to point the figure at the Government for the current economic situation, in reality it was out of its control.

Mr Marshall-Andrews said: “I was disappointed but not surprised. We are in a terrible situation politically.

“There is no prospect of Gordon Brown being replaced. The only way is if he himself resigned, which I think is very unlikely.

“What I think is important is that Government has to make up its mind about the present economic situation, which is dire.

“We need to address the fact that much of this is without its control and have got to stop saying the phrase to voters about ‘listening’ and ‘learning’ to what exactly? This is simply confusing.

“We need to govern. The most important thing is that we continue to do so as wisely and best we can do in difficult circumstances.

“But I blame the banking corporations throughout the world and their incompetent lending. If we still are blamed in 18 months that will be the end of the Labour Government.”

But Dr Ladyman is still hopeful the party will pull through and rejected Tory calls for an early election.

He said: “I don’t think it is necessary. Gordon Brown is perfectly entitled to wait until the year after next.

“The sensible thing to do in my mind would be to wait until the economic situation has sorted itself out. It is not a situation of the Government’s own making. We are better placed to navigate through these choppy waters than any other country.

“I suspect that in 12 months time when this has happened the electoral position will look very different.”