After the sweeping Conservative gains in the local elections of 1967 and 1968, the Labour Party – which had been in government since 1964 - was left with little to defend.
By contrast, the Conservatives were by this time trying their luck in areas they had not stood before, even at the expense of their erstwhile independent, progressive and moderate allies - particularly in Scotland.
Labour were left with their lowest number of councillors for years, and were reliant on aldermen to retain control of some councils.
Even Huyton, represented in the House of Commons by Prime Minister Harold Wilson, was gained by the Conservatives.
The Liberals had a mixed performance, losing all their councillors in some towns such as Bolton and Buxton, but advancing in cities such as Birmingham and Leeds.