Rt Hon David Blunkett MP

Sadie approaches retirement age

David has written an article in today's Daily Mail about the most famous member of his staff - Sadie, his faithful guide dog.

"You, dear readers, will be the first to know that a very close friend of mine — a very, very close friend — is soon to retire," the former Work and Pensions Secretary writes.

"Sadie has been a remarkable guide dog. She has been through thick and thin with me, in government and outside."

Read the full article here.

Feeling the benefit

David has written an article for this month's edition of Progress, the magazine produced by the Labour think tank of the same name.

David writes that Labour must not dismiss Iain Duncan Smith's proposed welfare reforms out of hand — because welfare cheats and benefit dependency are crucial issues which must be addressed if we are to ensure that more people have the opportunity of work.

"Work is the best form of welfare," David writes. Read his article here.

'Twas a dark and stormy night ...

 

For any readers planning to go camping over the course of the summer ... you might want to take a look at David's experience in Derwentwater, as related to the Daily Mail today!

"People either love or hate camping. I'm afraid I fall into the second category," David writes.

Read the full article here at the Mail website.

Celebrating VQ Day

David has written an article for the Times' Public Sector supplement reflecting on Vocational Qualifications (VQ) Day, which fell on 23 June.

You can find about more about VQ Day here at its dedicated website.

David, who has several vocational qualifications, including a teaching certificate, writes: "I suppose I'm living proof of how to integrate vocational and academic education, work-based and classroom-based learning, and self-help with mutual help."

Read David's full article here.

Blunkett warns of the consequences of unfettered cuts

David Blunkett has made a speech in the House of Commons in which he has warned of the consequences of the massive cuts due to hit local government.

Speaking during a Labour-initiated debate on the money available to local authorities, David said: "We are in a dangerous situation. We might find that, having cut expenditure and services, resentment and bitterness arise in a way that will lead to the kind of disturbances and lack of social cohesion experienced in the early 1980s."

Although he expressed the belief that the cuts that are coming would not lead to disruption, he said that Tory and Lib Dem ministers' belief that "everything will be fine" is "either duplicity or complete naivety. In the four years ahead, we cannot afford for ordinary people to have their services destroyed because Ministers and Treasury officials do not understand the consequences of their actions."

Read the full speech here.

Dancing to an old tune

David Blunkett has written an article for Parliament's in-house publication, The House Magazine, this week, in which he floats a new way for MPs to lead in their communities.

Casting doubt on the notion that the Lib Dem/Tory coalition represents any form of "new politics" — except in Westminster, where coalition government is not the norm — David argued that "all the clamour leading up to the general election for something 'different' has been subsumed in the mesmerising atmosphere of the post-election agreement".

Why not, he asks, "give MPs a role in the non-elected bodies at local and regional level that exercise decision-making over very large sums of what remains of future public expenditure? Why not have local community forums, where MPs play a seminal role in bringing together community and non-governmental bodies to take a radical look at how services are delivered; how best scarce resources can be pulled together and co-ordinated"?

Read the full article here.

Time to rethink and renew

David has articles in both the Mirror and Sun today on the challenge which lies before the Labour Party.

"Now is the moment for the Labour Party to reflect on what has happened - but far more importantly, on what the future holds," he says.

Read the Mirror article here; and the Sun article here.

Thank you, Gordon ... but a coalition would be untenable

David has an article in today's Guardian expressing his thanks and respect to Gordon Brown for the leadership, domestic and international, that he has shown as leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister.

However, David also cautions against a Labour-Lib Dem coalition, arguing: "My belief is that it is untenable to create a rainbow alliance ... a coalition of the defeated". Such an alliance would, he says, "result, almost inevitably, in a massive defeat for Labour at the hands of an electorate who would blame us for flouting the will of the substantial minority" as expressed in the General Election.

Read the full article here.

The final countdown: Blunkett warns of "dangerous myths" peddled by Conservatives

Parliament has now completed its business and will be formally dissolved on Monday. David Blunkett has returned to Sheffield for the General Election campaign — and has published an article on the Guardian website warning of the danger posed by the Conservatives.

"Now is the time for radical and challenging policies that can set this election alight," he writes. "We need manifestos that are not an insult to the intelligence of the electorate, but which initiate a real debate about the future of our country."

When Parliament dissolves, there are no longer any MPs — only Parliamentary Candidates — and this website will shut down. However, David will be writing an occasional campaign blog — we'll put the link up here when it's launched.

David pays tribute to Dave Sheasby

 

David Blunkett has contributed to a Guardian obituary for Sheffielder Dave Sheasby, the immensely talented and witty producer of radio plays and adaptations, who died last month aged 69.

"He was constantly bringing to light the tremendous heritage, humour and culture of my home city," David wrote.

Read the full Guardian obituary and David's tribute here.