THE unprecedented wave of optimism which followed Labour's landslide victory at the 1997 General Election gave Tony Blair the longest honeymoon period ever enjoyed by a British Prime Minister.

If he didn't know it already, events in recent weeks have graphically illustrated that the honeymoon is well and truly over.

Today Mr Blair will deliver his own report on the achievements of his administration and its plans for the future.

In effect, today marks the beginning of the end of what he hopes will be the first of at least two terms of office, and the start of the countdown to the next General Election.

These are worrying times for the Prime Minister. A few months ago victory at the polls seemed a foregone conclusion. Today, the prospects are less certain.

'Teflon Tony' has come unstuck. His affinity with the general public, and his popularity among even non-Labour supporters has waned while, at the same time, the Conservatives are starting to re-group as an effective fighting force under the astute leadership of William Hague.

A few months ago the 'Blair factor' alone may have delivered an election victory to New Labour. Now, however, it is apparent that the voters will judge New Labour on Mr Blair's policies, not his personality.

After more than three years in office, it is time for the Prime Minister and his party to make their own mark on Britain.

No longer can Mr Blair and his Cabinet colleagues claim that their hands are tied by the public spending and tax policies they inherited from the Conservatives.

No longer can they talk about what they would like to do about our health service or our children's education.

The time has come for them to deliver their promises, not repeat them ad nauseam.

Spin and presentation no longer impress the voters.

Free from the shackles of the previous Government's spending commitments, this Government is now, by its own admission, in control of its own destiny.

We are told there is more money for our schools. We are told there is more money for our hospitals.

Now we are waiting for genuine signs that class sizes are reducing and that waiting lists are falling.

The task facing Mr Blair between now and the election is to reassure the British people that their faith in 1997 in the reformist zeal of New Labour was not misplaced.

It is make-or-break time for his avowed aim to be the first Labour leader in history to lead his party to two full terms in office.