LONDON -- When he led the reformed British Labour Party to two overwhelming general election victories in 1997 and 2001, Tony Blair epitomized a new political generation that would sweep away both the cobwebs of traditional socialist policy and the increasingly incoherent, sleaze-tainted performance of the Conservatives who had held power for almost two decades.
Born in 1953, Blair was a man with whom younger voters could identify, an open politician who appeared to offer a way out of the sterile left-right divide in British politics by grafting the economic reforms of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's era on to concern for social justice and a fairer society. He would solve Britain's chronic problems with public services -- particularly health, education and transport. He would give the nation a new impetus. Above all, Blair won points with voters by his image of honesty. "You can trust me" was his watchword.
Seven years on, Blair faces a nasty case of role reversal. Despite huge amounts of money that his government has funneled into health and education -- and real signs of improvement -- public opinion remains doubtful about Labour's record.