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David Blunkett
Former Home Secretary, David Blunkett is equally adept performing a keynote address at large conferences around subjects such as security, sustainability and politics as he is speaking as an informal anecdotal after dinner speaker
David Blunkett and his rise through politics
Before he resigned the position of home secretary, David Blunkett had been in charge of a substantial body of government portfolios including race, disability issues, policing and immigration. His responsibilities in running the Home Office included civil emergencies, security, terrorism and expenditure.
A Labour loyalist from a working class background, David had been unafraid of pushing for tough changes to Labour policy. He entered Parliament for Sheffield Brightside in 1987, after first contesting the Sheffield Hallam seat in 1974.
He is one of very few blind MPs, and was the first to reach the front bench and the Cabinet. His relaxed performances - with his guide dog by his side - at the despatch box, in the Labour Party's National Executive, and on the conference platform made it easy to forget his disability. David himself described not being able to see as simply "an inconvenience". Using Braille for speeches, and briefed by his officials on tape, he also has a sharp tongue at times, and a pragmatic approach to politics.
David was schooled in Sheffield where he led the city council for seven years before entering the Commons. He chaired the Labour Party nationally, and was a unifying force in the 80s and 90s, shadowing health and education. In Tony Blair's first government David was put in charge of education and employment, where he won big increases in funds for schools, while insisting on improved standards of literacy and numeracy. He was prepared to stand up to the teaching unions - which sometimes heckled his speeches - and his policy of charging university students for tuition fees was not popular.
In the Labour Party he has been regarded as a loyal colleague, a conciliator who avoids factions, and a man whose humour and determination make him widely popular. There have been wry smiles as well.
Lucy and Sadie
In 1999, his then guide dog Lucy threw up in the Chamber during the speech of his Tory opponent. Lucy was replaced by her half-sister, Sadie, a black Labrador-curly-coated retriever cross, in 2003 after nearly a decade by David's side.
Keynote and After Dinner Speaking
David Blunkett is a remarkable story of achievement in the face of many challenges, both personal and political. David is an inspiring speaker and a wonderful raconteur, with a great deal of experience to share with conference and dinner audiences.
For further information or to book David Blunkett, call us on 020 8866 8967 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
