PRIME Minister Tony Blair's first year in Number 10 has been given a mixed reaction by Retail Motor Industry chief executive Christopher Macgowan who saved his harshest criticism for the Government's transport policies. On the first anniversary of the Labour Party's 1997 general election triumph this week Macgowan's end of year report on Blair was dubbed 'encouraging'.

However, Macgowan, gave Blair just 3% for the Government's integrated transport policy and added the comment 'slow progress, but well intentioned'.

On the vehicle registration plate changes he gave Blair 1% and commented 'seems unable to communicate anything'. The score on the £25 first registration fee was 0% with Macgowan saying: 'Prejudice of this sort should be discouraged.'

Overall Blair was given 55% with marks being scored chiefly on the economy, minimum wage, welfare to work, university for industry and EMU initiatives.