Blair promises to speed `top to bottom' modernisation of Britain

TONY BLAIR will acknowledge the public's frustration at the slow pace of change under Labour today and promise to speed up his drive for a "top to bottom" modernisation of Britain.

In his keynote speech to the party conference in Bournemouth, the Prime Minister will admit that he shares voters' anxiety about education, health and transport. He will say: "We are halfway through the Parliament but nothing like halfway towards meeting our goals."

Last night, Labour officials said the aim of Mr Blair's mid-term progress report was to "reconnect" the Government with the voters. In an attempt to head off a growing public perception that Labour has become arrogant in power, his message will be: "We have done an awful lot in two years but there is an awful lot more to do."

His theme may fail to satisfy his party critics. Writing in The Independent today, Lord Hattersley, Labour's former deputy leader, launches a strong attack on Mr Blair, saying: "No Labour leader has inspired less affection. Tony Blair is the only Labour leader to dislike the party he leads."

Lord Hattersley adds: "He has an undisguised and undisguisable distaste for the whole Labour movement - particularly the trade unions, those immovable objects that stand in the way of the fully flexible labour market of which he dreams."

Mr Blair believes the pace of change in Britain can move up a gear now that Labour has firmly established its economic credentials. "The kind of radicalism that we have always wanted to show will be on ever greater display," one aide said.

The Prime Minister will tell his party that it now has its best opportunity to leave a real mark on Britain. He will commit himself to "equality", rejecting Old Labour demands for "equality of outcome" and defining it as equal opportunities for all in education, employment and as citizens.

He will reiterate his controversial call for a "new moral purpose" for the nation, saying it is needed more than ever. He will confirm new laws to combat drug-related crime and reject criticism from civil liberties groups over plans to force anyone arrested for an indictable offence to have a drugs test.

Mr Blair will stress that there can be no relaxation of the tough grip on spending, saying becoming "the party of economic competence" has put Labour on course for a full second term for the first time. He will remind delegates that Labour has been in power for only 22 years of its 100- year history.