British prime minister Tony Blair has accused some MPs of being "out of touch" with the public and of failing to face the terror threat.
Mr Blair met his Cabinet after a vote on anti-terror plans brought his first Commons defeat as prime minister. He told Cabinet colleagues there was a "worrying gap between parts of Parliament and the reality of the terrorist threat and public opinion".
Forty-nine Labour MPs rebelled against government plans to let police hold terrorist suspects for up to 90 days without charge.
Commentators said the shock vote marked a turning point for a once-invincible leader who has seen his authority wane since the 2003 Iraq war, despite winning a third term in May.
Mr Blair has already said he will not stand for a fourth term although he intends to serve for a few more years yet.
The prime minister said there would be no watering down of plans to reform schools, hospitals and the incapacity benefits system before crucial votes in the New Year.
"The Cabinet was absolutely united in their view that they are determined to carry through their (election) manifesto commitments," Mr Blair's spokesman said after a government meeting.
Ministers would "explain" to parliament and the public the rationale behind the plans but would not compromise, he added.
Such tough talk risks enraging Labour parliamentarians who are uneasy at best about Mr Blair's flagship public service reforms.