You don't get long with a Prime Minister who's trying to fill every minute of a hectic life at the top.

But even 15 minutes on a Connex Express hurtling towards Brighton was enough to get a measure of the man.

Last time I interviewed Tony Blair was five years ago at the Commons. He was Leader of the Opposition and anxious not to give anything away that might frighten the voters.

This time, he was nearing the end of his fourth year in power as Prime Minister with a huge majority, astonishing opinion poll leads and a buoyant economy.

No wonder he was able to look relaxed in his Connex corner seat despite cheeping mobile phones, papers to read and a TV crew hovering about.

Does he look older than five years ago? There's a little less hair and there are reading glasses by his side, not produced in public. But generally he looks in good nick with that rather preachy, boyish vitality.

Sitting there in shirtsleeves, Mr Blair used his skill as a lawyer to parry questions about the election, saying he never talked about such things.

But he made it clear that much as he sympathised with farmers over foot and mouth, the county elections will still be held on May 3, and the general election . . . whenever that is called.

There's a danger Labour voters will simply stay at home through apathy. I asked what could be done to bring them out.

The Prime Minister reeled off a list of achievements including extra money for schools and hospitals, more money for pensioners, increased child allowances and last week's big increase in the minimum wage. And he warned: "The Conservatives would take some of that away."

He reminded voters, who often have short memories, about times not so long ago when the economy was in poor shape.

There was a feeling, I suggested, in the NHS that reducing waiting lists had become an obsession with the Government, stopping other improvements.

Not so, said Mr Blair, adding: "Waiting lists really do matter." He cited the huge programme of upgrading hospital accident and emergency departments.

What about last week's story that education action zones, such as the one in East Brighton, had attracted little private investment?

Untrue, said the Prime Minister. There's £35 million being invested nationally and that's not bad at all.

Both the NHS and schools in Sussex and other places with high prices have been struggling to recruit and retain key workers.

That's why the Government is paying more money to nurses and many teachers, said the Prime Minister. And he indicated councils can make special arrangements to house key workers if they wish.

The PM made a speech early this month warning of climate change and urging us to go greener. How, I wondered, did that stand with reductions for motorists in the Budget?

As we passed the huge car parks near Gatwick Airport, I indicated that the British love affair with their motors still seemed strong.

People have to have the freedom to drive cars or not, said Tony Blair with a slightly apologetic shoulder shrug.

But when I mentioned the nasty scare last September the Government got from fuel protesters, he said: "It was not popular at the time but we couldn't give in to them."

We passed beautiful green fields near Crawley being devoured by the Maidenbower estate. I asked about the worry in Sussex over rampant house building.

Mr Blair admired the countryside made more verdant than ever by the rain. He said there was a demand and you had to strike a balance. But he added the current figures in East and West Sussex were far below what the builders wanted.

The PM's mobile phone was beeping, aides getting restless.

Many fellow rail passengers only noticed the famous figure as he got off and strode to a waiting car.

"So that's why the train was on time tonight," said one weary commuter. "I hope he travels by Connex again."