Rt Hon David Blunkett MP

As Home Secretary at the time of 9/11, David Blunkett served through the most testing times. The turbulence was not confined to his political life; few senior politicians have experienced quite so many ups and downs, and none have achieved high office having been blind since birth.

After leading Sheffield City Council (described by a local Tory as ‘The People’s Republic of South Yorkshire’), David entered Parliament and held shadow portfolios in health, education and employment. Then as Labour Party Chair he became a key player in the development of New Labour – distancing himself once and for all from the ‘loony left.’

When Tony Blair came to power David was appointed Secretary of State for Education and Employment – where he launched the Learning & Skills Councils, created Job Centre Plus, oversaw the Equal Opportunities Commission and established the Disability Rights Commission. Later as Home Secretary he took responsibility for security, immigration and policing. He also attracted controversy by introducing a raft of measures to combat the threat of terrorism.

As well as giving an insider’s view on the political landscape, David talks with authority on managing change, social responsibility and the benefits of diversity. His own story is one of overcoming considerable adversity. He is also an entertaining and surprisingly revealing after dinner speaker, with a fund of anecdotes about Labour’s years in power.

Since leaving the front bench David has continued to inform policy-making on social mobility, affordable credit and cyber security. He also devotes energy to his Future For Work Foundation, whose aim is to provide volunteering and work experience. David has published The Blunkett Tapes (sub-titled My Life in the Bear Pit), written a Sun column and appeared on Mastermind – where he chose Harry Potter as his specialist subject.