David Blunkett Biography
Former Home Secretary, David Blunkett is equally adept performing as a keynote speaker at large conferences on subjects such as security, sustainability, leadership and politics, as he is as performing a more informal anecdotal after dinner speaker role.
David 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 both conference and dinner delegates.
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.
For further information or to book David Blunkett, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
David Blunkett News
A selection of relevant news related to David Blunkett, After Dinner Speakers and Keynote Speakers, Business Speakers, Political Speakers, Security & Risk and Sustainability Speakers stories. For more information on David Blunkett or details as to how to book David Blunkett for your corporate event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
David Blunkett tipped to head new youth volunteering taskforce
29th April 2009
Former home secretary and keynote speaker David Blunkett is expected to draw up plans for the Prime Minister's teenage taskforce. The taskforce will encourage all teenagers to take part in voluntary work, building on the work of 3 million young people who currently volunteer.
David Blunkett for safer transport
7th November 2007
David Blunkett, the former home secretary, is urging the government to support the introduction of a yellow school bus scheme.
Ted Global 2013 Takes Place in Edinburgh
11th June 2013
This year’s Ted Global conference is taking place in Edinburgh at the Edinburgh International Conference Center. Some of the world’s most accomplished speakers will take to the stage to talk about the political, economic and environmental issues that we face in today’s society.
Chris Anderson Advises on Killer Presentations
30th May 2013
TED Curator and keynote speaker, Chris Anderson, has given his advice and knowledge on how to give a killer presentation.
Innovative Speakers Gather at TED 2012
28th June 2012
California is once again the sunny location for TED, the most innovative and exciting conference on the planet, where speakers with ‘ideas worth spreading’ gather to share their thoughts on technology, design, science, media, politics, the arts, and other insights on how to shape a better word.
Michael Acton Smith: One To Watch in 2012
24th January 2012
From authors to entrepreneurs; from CEOs to ballet dancers, and from scientists to police commissioners, The Times has compiled a list of those inspirational and successful figures who are predicted to hit the headlines in the year ahead, including entrepreneur Michael Acton Smith.
Top 10 Speakers for 2012
27th December 2011
As the year draws to a close, Speakers Corner looks forward to the promise of the intriguing and opportune months ahead. 2012 is set to be a year of economic optimism, business innovation and a host of rising stars on the corporate circuit – all primed to motivate, educate, stimulate and entertain.
Speakers Corner Elite Amongst Top Intellectuals
17th May 2011
The Guardian has compiled a list of Britain’s top 300 intellectuals. Amongst the newspaper’s register of public figures leading the UK’s cultural discourse, are a handful of Speakers Corner’s elite. Amongst the iIntellectuals are authors, economists, historians, journalists, lawyers, philosophers, policy advisers, politicians, religious leaders, and scientists.
Bill Gates Amongst Hosts at TED 2011
3rd March 2011
Bill Gates, technology pioneer, businessman and philanthropist, is amongst the acclaimed hosts at this year’s TED Conference in California.
G8 Leaders Join Forces to Discuss Syria
19th June 2013
This year’s G8 Summit took place in Northern Ireland, eight of the world’s leaders joined forces to discuss the Syrian civil war.
David Blunkett Reviews
David Blunkett has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for David Blunkett for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book David Blunkett for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Both personable and passionate about the topic - David engaged wonderfully with our technical audience and was a real voice of authority on the topic. Some of our customers were both impressed and surprised at the level of indepth knowledge he possesses on IT security and the ease with which he involved them in the conversation, rather than presenting at them.
For further information or to book David Blunkett, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
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