Blair acknowledges 'instruction to deliver' After his formal visit to Buckingham Palace to set the seal on Labour's landslide victory, Tony Blair said the country had given him not just a 'mandate for reform and investment' but a 'very clearly an instruction to deliver'. That means translating Labour's promise to transform public services into results. The prime minister acknowledged that changes would not be easy. 17:29  | Read Election 2001 The final results, with all 659 seats declared Labour = 413 Conservative = 166 Liberal Democrats = 52 Others = 28 16:37  | Read The people who manage the country This Labour government's relationship with business has been one of the features that have most distinguished it from its predecessors. Denounced equally on the left and by the Conservative party as aberrant or even diabolical, it nevertheless feels as solid as any political alliance as Tony Blair enters his second term. More Man in the news Tony Blair: Older and wiser Tony Blair returned to Downing Street on Friday jubilant but apprehensive in spite of the scale of his second election landslide. There was satisfaction in his triumph but not the elation of 1997. Leadership contest Tory mods and rockers prepare for battle "The Conservative party does not want to be led in the direction I would take it," Michael Portillo told friends 18 months ago as he tried to damp down a renewed bout of leadership speculation. Liberal Democrats Champagne Charlie to exploit Tory turmoil Charles Kennedy sought to exploit Tory turmoil on Friday by promising to build on the Liberal Democrats' best ever showing and replace the Conservatives as the de facto opposition. New arrivals Prospects of colour across the spectrum Parliament is a much greyer place these days, seasoned MPs say, but the arrival of a few new characters could perk things up. Expectations are running high that Boris Johnson will add a bit of colour to the back benches. Labour Joyless victory Asked what he thought of modern civilisation Mahatma Gandhi replied that it would be a good idea. The same retort might apply to questions about the humility with which Tony Blair claims he is entering his second term in office. European reaction Result 'gives mandate for greater integration' Politicians and officials across Europe on Friday welcomed Tony Blair's victory as a sign that Britain had rejected euroscepticism, and was prepared for a more positive engagement with the rest of the European Union.