He has accepted a minimum wage law and the social provisions of the Maastricht Treaty on Europe. But to return to the larger theme. Blair has done something with Labour that was hitherto unthinkable. He has driven the utopian dreamers back to the fringe. He has adopted policies for growth.
New Labour is no longer Left.
This is without precedent, and Blair's boldness of mind and perseverance is also new in British politics, at least since Lady Thatcher's time. For those of us who believe that politics is the ultimate sport, the crushing defeat of the Tories is, well, thrilling. It might also prove sobering now, especially to our politicians over here. Politics can be very brutal. American politicians might take note.