TONY Blair was last night heading back to power with a second landslide - but he will be the first to concede that the celebrations must swiftly give way to the harsh realisation of what lies ahead.

Based on the exit polls and the country's first result from Sunderland South, Labour has been given a remarkable mandate by the British people.

Yet early indications of a low turn-out point to a muted endorsement of the Blair administration's first term in power. It has not inspired the people to come out and demonstrate their enthusiasm for what has been achieved so far.

Tony Blair has maintained throughout the election campaign that there is much, much more to do. Indeed there is.

We acknowledge that a start has been made but the transformation of our public services must now accelerate.

More money is being filtered into schools but further investment must be married with a control on the bureaucracy which is undermining teachers.

Foundations have been laid for a better health service, but while our waiting times for life-saving operations lag behind the rest of Europe - and people continue to die when they could be saved - the rebuilding has to be drastically stepped up.

The economic climate has been created to support the transformation of our public services and there will be no excuses next time for failing to deliver.

The anticipated result is as much an indictment of the Opposition as it is an endorsement of Tony Blair's Government.

The 1997 landslide defeat signalled the need for a fundamental review of the Tory Party. The 2001 landslide defeat shows the necessary reincarnation has not taken place.

William Hague has been unable to capitalise on the country's reservations over Labour and, in truth, the result was as predictable as Manchester United's stroll to another Premiership title.

William Hague's future as leader hangs in the balance, but who is the alternative? The inquest must be searching, honest, and result in change - whether it is under the present leadership or not.

For Tony Blair, the achievement of an unprecedented double landslide must not be underestimated. Nor must it be received with anything other than an understanding that the British people expect more - much more.