The Conservatives today went on the attack against Tony Blair and vowed to regain their former Hove stronghold.

Geoffrey Theobald, former Tory leader on Brighton and Hove City Council, said he expected current MP Ivor Caplin to lose his seat at the next election.

He spoke after Tony Blair mentioned the area during his Labour Conference speech yesterday.

"When the Tories lose an election now anywhere in the country, they say it's not their natural territory," he said.

"Like Harwich, Hastings and Hove aren't natural Tory territory?

"If I was a Conservative I would be wondering where on earth is our natural territory. We always knew the Tories didn't have a heart. Their problem now is they haven't got a heartland."

Mr Caplin secured Hove after 31 years of Tory rule in the 1997 elections.

When Mr Blair heard the news before the final election result was announced, he famously said: "Now I know I've won."

In response to yesterday's speech Coun Theobald added: "I think Hove will convert to Conservative.

"Tony Blair must recognise that every election we have had for local government since the last general election we are picking up and we are now the largest party in terms of councils, the largest party in terms of councillors on the council.

"It is the Labour Party that is going backwards, certainly not the Conservatives. We are going forward. We took the central Hove ward."

Mr Caplin was pleased his constituency had been mentioned in Mr Blair's speech.

He said: "The Prime Minister has demolished the Tory view of what makes up their heartland.

"It is always a privilege to be part of the Prime Minister's speech on such an important occasion.

"The point he was making is the Labour Party is represented throughout Britain and the Conservative Party is not. We are the party which governs the whole country."

Leader of the Labour Party in Brighton and Hove, Coun Ken Bodfish, said: "The Tories are now so much on the back foot. Areas where they used to be strong are now no longer.

"Twenty years ago if you had said Hove would have had a two-time Labour MP, would have Labour councillors and a Labour council, people would have thought you were totally bonkers."