P192 CEEFAX 192 Fri 6 May 21:15/44 ] 1/3 ELECTIONS ANALYSES TORJJS FAIL TO WEN TBRGET AREAS The Tories had expected to win some councils back but were clearly beaten in target areas like Birmingham, Brighton and Dudley. Epping Forest and Tunbridge Wells, Conservative kvjr since being created in 1973, were among the dozen councils lost to no overall control. By Colin Rallings & Michael Thrasher Local Gov't Chronicle Elections Centre, Uni6jrsity of Pl9mouth Next News Main News Politics Top SpoutP192 CEEFAX 192 Fri 6 May 21:14/27 2/3 ELECTIONS ANALYSIS TRIUMPH FOR LIBERAL DEMOCRATS Tower Hamlets was the sole blot gn a night of triumph for the Lib Dens $hey advanced at Labour's expense in a range of northern boroughs and hurt the Tory vote down south. They took Eastleigh, to become clear favourites in the forthcoming parliamentary by-election there. (5 In Scotland, their modest gains put the Tories into fourth place. The SNP raised their vote by 5% on 1990, but still control no region. By C Rallings and M Thrasher, Local Gov't Chronicle Elections Centre Next News Main News Politics Top SpoutP192 CEEFAX 192 Fri 6 May 21:15/14 3/3 ELECTIONS ANALYSES Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher analysj a Consjrvativj "nightmare". The poll marks a new low in the Tories' local government fortunes. In 1983, they had over 10,000 councillors and controlled more councils (188) than any other party After a decade of steady losses, they have fewer than 90 councils and fewer than 7,500 councillors. $5 Of the major spending authorities, the Conservatives control just seven out of 126 nationwide - (5 Bucks, Trafford and five in London. Next News Main News Politics Top Spout