Mr Tony Blair has warned Labour against complacency following their election triumph.
Mr Blair has addressed cheering, flag-waving supporters outside Labour's Millbank headquarters in London.
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He has told them it was a night of history for the party.
He said: "The one thing we have to remember is that now is the time when the people of this country want us to serve them, and want us to do the things we promised to do.
"Our mandate is to carry on the work that we started."
He said that would build on the foundations of economic stability created by "brilliant" Chancellor Mr Gordon Brown, who also co-ordinated Labour's election campaign.
Cabinet ministers mingled with celebrities such as Ross Kemp - Grant Mitchell from EastEnders - and Mick Hucknall from Simply Red.
Mr Neil Kinnock also joined the celebrations, and was hailed by Mr Blair as the man who began the modernisation of the party.
Mr Blair drew laughter as he arrived on the platform and recalled his words throughout the campaign: "Don't get complacent, eh?"
He told the party faithful: "You have done an absolutely magnificent job. No party could ever have wished for more."
Mr Blair continued: "The policies and the foundations that we have laid over these past few years give us the ability now to complete the task that we've set ourselves.
"That task is governed by one simple principle which is the principle today's party stands for: that we want a society and a national where not just a few people at the top but every single person gets the chance to succeed.
"We will create that society. Through a political party that at long last offers this country a different political choice,
"For 100 years we've been in government for short periods of time but never won a full second term of office. Now we have.
"But we have done so because at long last in this country we've united the politics of ambition for yourself and your family and compassion, decency and obligation to others less fortunate than yourselves.
"That marriage of head and heart is what this party is all about.
"So let us get to our work, realise that in the next few years those expectations are there. We have to meet them, we have to work patiently, clearly, calmly, with determination and vigour to serve the people of this country.
"It's a privilege and an honour that they have bestowed upon us. Let us live up to it now."
PA