Blunkett, David, Born 1947
Dates
- Existence: Born 6 June 1947
Biography
David Blunkett was born on 6 June 1947, in Sheffield, the son of Arthur Blunkett and Doris Blunkett (nee Williams). Blind from birth he was sent to a boarding school for the visually impaired in Sheffield at the age of four, and later attended The Royal Normal School for the Blind in Shropshire. Although his school didn't offer its pupils the opportunity to undertake academic qualification, Blunkett studied at night school over several years to obtain sufficient qualifications to be offered a place to study Political Theory at the University of Sheffield, from which he graduated in 1972.
At the age of 22, whilst still a student, Blunkett entered politics as a councillor for Southey Green ward. In 1980 he became leader of Sheffield Council, a position he held for 7 years during which time the region was known as the Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire, a term coined to reflect the left-wing politics of the city and the now defunct South Yorkshire County Council.
In 1987 Blunkett was elected MP for Sheffield Brightside, a seat he held until his retirement in 2015. Blunkett held several positions in the Shadow Cabinet, including shadow spokesperson for local government and the Poll Tax, and shadow minister for health and then education. Blunkett was also a member of the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee and played a key role in the Policy Review conducted by the party in the late 1980s.
In 1997 when New Labour swept to power, Blunkett was appointed Secretary of State for Education, and in 2001 he became Home Secretary. He held the position of Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in 2005, before leaving the cabinet at the end of that year. On stepping down as an MP in 2015, Blunkett was awarded a peerage.