Downing Street has a glib reply to all doubters. Look at Margaret Thatcher, they say. Consider how little she achieved in her first term. By comparison Blair has achieved far more. Add in all the rest and you have huge NHS spending to come, education already measurably improving, more money for the poor than ever before, taxes higher, while the economy gushes like a fruit machine.
Critics reply that history is a flexible friend in Downing Street's hands.
He's had nothing but luck - a huge majority, untold wealth and dead calm waters. Maybe you make your own weather but his has been better than he can reasonably expect again. If so, it's disappointing. Consider the tragedy of Clinton's third way failure as he leaves office, nothing much done. The restless natives in the party have a growing list of grievances.