KENT MPs are bracing themselves for a close fight on May 5 with recent opinion polls showing the Tories closing the gap with Labour.

And in a clear sign of the county’s importance to the prospects of all three parties, Kent can expect to see a string of visits by high-profile figures between now and polling day.

Chatham and Aylseford MP Jonathan Shaw, who is defending a majority of 4,340, admitted Labour would face a tougher battle than in 2001.

“It is going to be tough to hold all our seats but I think we can do it provided people are clear about the choices they have. If we do lose the Kent seats, Michael Howard will be Prime Minister and that is a very clear message for people who may be thinking of switching support,” he said.

He conceded voter apathy and a low turnout posed a risk to Labour. “If people do not come out then clearly holding our seats will be much more difficult.”

Maidstone and Weald MP Ann Widdecombe said she was encouraged by the polls. “I am certainly far happier than I was about a month ago. I am sure that some of the seats we lost in 1997 will come back to us and I would be even happier if the map in Kent went back to being blue again. People are very fed up and are saying they are prepared to vote for us.”

She insisted that she did not regard her seat as safe, despite a comfortable majority of more than 10,000. “I never take my constituency for granted and I will be fighting Maidstone as if it was a marginal.”

Faversham and Mid Kent MP Hugh Robertson, shadow Conservative sports minister, said: “Having travelled around the country a lot over Easter, I have come across a great many people who have told me they are fed up with Labour’s inability to deliver. The election will be won by the party that lays out a clear agenda and achievable aims and that is what we are doing.”

The county currently has eight Labour MPs and eight Conservatives.

Thanet South MP Dr Steve Ladyman, who represents Kent’s most marginal Labour constituency, said he would be fighting all the way but was frank in his assessment about the impact of a low turnout.

“If people go to the polling station and vote the way they are saying they will, I can win. The question is turnout. If people think a Labour victory is a foregone conclusion and stay at home, then I will be out. It is all about getting my vote out.”