New Labour Feels The "Weight Of History"

In an impassioned speech, Tony Blair told his 418 MPs that the Labour Party was facing an historic opportunity to both serve the country and firmly establish New Labour as the dominant political force in Britain.

In a reference to the famous Sun newspaper headline written the day after the 1992 election, he said, "Be under no illusion - it was New Labour what won it.

"Let us learn that lesson well. We ran for office as New Labour, we govern as New Labour."

Labour's election victory was so great that no room in the House of Commons could contain Mr Blair's new army of MPs. Instead the meeting had to be held in Church House next to the Commons.

Mr Blair reminded his MPs of the burden of victory. "We have won a historic victory. But now the weight of history is upon our shoulders. Great is the excitement and hope in Britain today.

"Even greater is our sense of humility and responsibility in not disappointing those hopes."

Forget that, and the people will soon show that what the electorate give, the electorate can take away."

Mr Blair was passionate in his hope that New Labour would establish itself as the party of government for some time to come, saying "I want them to vote for us again. They will only do so if New Labour is as real in Government as it was in opposition."

The Prime Minister rallies his troops

"Look at the Tory party. Pause, reflect. Then vow never to emulate. Day after day, when in government they had MPs out there behaving with the indiscipline and thoughtlessness that was reminiscent of us in the early 80s.

"Where are they now, those great rebels? When the walls come crashing down beneath the tidal wave of change, there is no discrimination between those Tory MPs. They were all swept away, rebels and loyalists alike.

But Mr Blair warned them against being seduced by their election success. "Remember, you are not here to enjoy the trappings of power but to do a job and to uphold the highest standards in public life," he said.

"You are the ambassadors for New Labour and ambassadors for the Government. More than that, you are here to keep the promises in our contract with the people," he added.

Refering to the Chancellor's reforms of the Bank of England Mr Blair said, "The Chancellor and I want to set monetary policy on a sure footing. We are determined to end the years of boom and bust and give business the chance to plan ahead with certainty.

"No-one would pretend the problems in Northern Ireland or negotiations on Europe or reforming the welfare state are easy to resolve. They require honest hard work, dedication and imagination," he said.

"But you can be sure of one thing. This will be a can-do government. A government characterised by enthusiasm and fresh ideas, a government that will listen to all views, will open its doors to fresh thinking and will give new hope to this country," added Mr Blair.