In 1983, Labour's left-wing manifesto was described as the "longest suicide note in history."
The 23,000-word manifesto launched by Tony Blair yesterday may well go down as the longest legacy note.
The British Prime Minister knows that time is running out for him to secure lasting change before he steps
down ahead of the election after next. Two of his central goals when he came to power in 1997 have remained elusive - resolving Britain's half-in, half-out relationship with Europe and transforming public services.
With the euro off the agenda, his fate on Europe now hinges on the dangerous lottery of a referendum on the EU constitution next year. Hence the big focus in the manifesto on how to "embed" public service reforms, on which progress has been made - albeit grindingly and slowly.
If the manifesto proposals for greater diversity and choice in health and education are implemented, Blair believes he will achieve a new settlement as far-reaching as the post-war creation of the welfare state and the economic reforms of Margaret Thatcher.
In other words, they could not be reversed by a change of government - or Labour leader.
It is still a big "if". True, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown went out of his way to be loyally supportive, intervening at Labour's press conference to stress his support for greater private sector involvement. But Brown, the runaway favourite to succeed Blair, still has some reservations about the role of the market in the health service. So it is not clear whether the Blair legacy would be an entirely welcome inheritance for him.
If Labour wins the election, Blair will be in a hurry to push through the reforms. He hopes to serve another 3 1/2 years - in theory, enough time for the necessary legislation.
The long list of 277 commitments is designed to show that Blair is not on his last legs. But his dependence on Brown during the campaign is a reminder that he is a weaker figure after a bruising second term.
If Labour retains power, how much of the prospectus would really be implemented? It could well depend on how long Blair remains in Downing St and that, in turn, could well depend on the size of his majority. The voters will decide.
- INDEPENDENT
