British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair's government today becomes Labour's longest serving administration in its history.
Mr Clement Attlee previously held the party's record, serving as Prime Minister for six years and 92 days.
Mr Blair passed the milestone holidaying in the Caribbean and it was not being officially marked by Labour.
The suicide of Dr David Kelly and the row over Iraq that drove him to his death has cast a long shadow over the event. And the occasion has prompted comparisons, many unfavourable, with the 1945-51 government which created the welfare state.
Mr Blair was on the defensive when he referred to the occasion at his monthly televised media briefing before leaving on his break earlier this week. He recited a familiar litany of Labour achievements since 1997 and insisted: "The overall record is one that bears comparison with any government, Labour or Conservative, in the past."
The claim is a heresy for much of the Labour left which revers the Attlee government. Mr Blair tackled that attitude head on in a recent keynote speech on public services. Mr Attlee too had been criticised for doing too little, not being radical enough, the PM said.
Mr Blair's achievement in passing his time in power is put in perspective by the fact that Mr John Major - never mind Baroness Thatcher - has still spent longer in No 10.
However, he is only the second Prime Minister to win two landslide elections in the last 100 years.
And, despite current difficulties, few predict anything other than a third Labour victory next time round.
Unless Mr Blair proves he can build on his present achievements he risks being remembered for Dr Kelly's death however long he spends in Downing Street.