CHANCELLOR Gordon Brown yesterday set out the agenda on which Labour intends to fight the next General Election.

On the face of it, he came up with a winning formula. Extra resources for education, transport, and the police - on top of additional money already earmarked for health - correspond to the issues which really matter to the public.

In essence, these are the issues on which this Government will be judged at the polls.

Yet victory is far from a foregone conclusion. Mr Brown has so far only promised the means to match the public's aspirations.

The crucial test now is whether his Cabinet colleagues can deliver between now and the date the Prime Minister chooses to hold the election.

New Labour was elected on the back of promises which touched the conscience of voters.

It was the party whose top three priorities were education, education and education. It was the party which promised to restore faith in the NHS and cut waiting lists. It was the party which promised to be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime. It was the party which promised to raise the profile of public transport.

After three years in office, those promises are largely unfulfilled.

Teachers' morale remains low and many schools remain in a state of dilapidation. Hospital waiting lists remain long and more and more people are contemplating turning to private healthcare for what should be routine treatment. Police forces remain undermanned and crimes of violence are on the increase. And Britain's transport policy is in a state of complete disarray.

An opposition party may win an election on promises alone. But after four or five years in power, a Government party will be judged on results.

Recent opinion polls have detected a narrowing of the gap between Labour and the Conservatives. They highlight the general perception that this is a Government high on promises, but low on delivery of those promises.

They highlight the willingness of the British electorate to tolerate stealth taxes in return for improved public services.

They also highlight the potential for the patience of the British electorate to wear thin, and drum out of office a Government which fails to meet its promises to improve our roads, our railways, our health service, our police forces and our schools.

The time has come not only for the Chancellor to set targets, but also for his Government to achieve them.