At a stroke, the political landscape has been changed and for the first time in more than a decade the playing field has tilted massively against New Labour.

The sheer scale of the Conservative triumph at the ballot box is an endorsement of David Cameron’s leadership and a damning indictment of Gordon Brown.

Voters are confident now that Cameron’s team can be trusted to form the next Government and they’ve given Labour notice to quit.

It is a remarkable achievement which few would have thought possible just 12 months ago. Now the way ahead looks clear for the Tories while Labour doesn’t know which way to turn.

But it’s still too early for David Cameron to break out the bunting. He may have won a major battle but the war isn’t over.

The Prime Minister does not have to call a general election until 2010 and the Tories can’t just sit back and wait for the keys to No10 to fall into their hands.

Gordon Brown and his lacklustre Government are down but not yet out.