The Political Legacy of the 80s | David Blunkett

[@andysothcott2336]

Bloody Hell. What's happened to us. What a top guy. Where are the true politicians these days...insightful intelligent and of sound mind and clear thought...😢

[@bradleywilkinson4246]

Too busy making podcasts and giving speeches and enjoying lavish evening dinners. I’m being cynical of course but it is true to an extent.

[@col.hertford9855]

Watch angela Raynors interview on the news agents. There are some left.

[@everest9707]

Nigel Farage is not perfect, but he is so much better than any of the politicians that we have at the moment!

[@col.hertford9855]

@@everest9707 he lies so much though. How can you put up with it?

[@col.hertford9855]

@@everest9707 the brave leader has just run away from the leaders debate. This comment aged well.

[@sallybarton635]

Loved this interview - David is a close friend of my grandparents from their time at Sheffield city council. He has always been so generous and kind with myself and my siblings, giving us his time for interviews for our dissertations and helping us out whenever we asked. When I was at uni in London he would let me visit him in the Lords when I was missing Sheffield ❤️

[@lolly1811]

How lovely. I loved this interview ❤ how far we’ve fallen. Where are the statesmen of his kind ? 😢

[@danielfischbach9632]

What an exceptional inspiration of a man. Brilliant episode 👏

[@jakemiller9547]

Just a top grade human being, the world is a better place because of David Blunkett

[@willacarr6746]

Comments please on the 2024 Labour MANIFESTO

[@willacarr6746]

WHICH ROLE WOULD DAVID WISH TO UNDERTAKE WITHIN THE INCOMING LABOUR GOVERNMENT FROM 5 JULY 2024 ?

[@Cronhour]

@@willacarr6746 Probably over seeing the Rwanda scheme as that was his policy 20 years ago? God you people are so ahistorical and sycophantic.

[@lolly1811]

@@Cronhouryou’re in the wrong place, go and watch GB News.

[@Cronhour]

@@lolly1811 David Blunkett's views are closer to GB News than mine thanks. He proposed off shoring of migrants and attacked refugee children when in office. He's a red Tory.

[@elizabethsaunders9519]

For a man who has spent every day of his life on this planet as a blind man, there is nobody who truly sees this country like he does......remarkable man who has been through more than anyone ever deserves too......fantastic interview x

[@jimbim4405]

As a wavering centrist. I have often disagreed with Lord Blunkett's positions, but one thing has been consistent throughout the years: a VERY sincere sense of affection and respect fot this man. Someone with real principles, who has ALWAYS done his best for his community. We could do with a LOT more Blunkett's these days!! Thanks guys for bringing the younger generation a view of what is possible when one has principled politicians - such an effing rarity in recent times....

[@marknewton7212]

What a legend! Thank you Lord Blunkett, a true responsible leader and unafraid. An inspiration and made my day.

[@Cronhour]

Did you like when he first proposed the Rwanda like policy of Offshoring? or perhaps when he wanted to Deny an education to asylum seeking children? This rehabilitation of shitty people is the reason our politics is so disastrous and only caters to the needs of the Rich.

[@SteveDavis-gc2pp]

What a Man - I could listen to him all day

[@gbj3536]

Get David back into Government! We need sensible energised optimistic people like David, giving the country hope and vision.

[@Cronhour]

he proposed offshoring, and wanted to deny child asylum seekers an education. he's a fucking Tory Ghoul

[@user-mv2nv6rd9b]

Just want to echo Rory's kind, gracious & justified comments.

[@JamesCarter-ok9nl]

I understand why some people are turned off by politics. Politicians like David just don't exist anymore, with considered arguments and dispassionate debate.

[@andrewharrison7767]

they probably do still exist, but most viewers don't respond to long form interviews so we rarely get chance to see that they do

[@col.hertford9855]

@@andrewharrison7767exactly, most of the politicians who do the long form interviews come across as a bit more human and likeable. The Ed Davey one was also interesting.

[@willacarr6746]

​@@andrewharrison7767SPOT ON !

[@stephenhallett8589]

Thank you Rory and Alastair for these insightful interviews. They are so refreshing after the hype and shallow soundbites that we are being bombarded with from the media. It occurred to me whilst listening to David speaking that the younger generations (BTW I am 70) have so few inspirational leaders around now that they can draw courage from and be motivated to educate themselves politically. I speak as someone who was an active trade unionist during the Thatcher years as well as a Labour party member. I admit i left and re-joined a couple of times since but have joined again in the last 12 months. Keep the good work up!

[@moirataylor9072]

An incredible interview. The advice, the candour, the vision. All remarkable. If we do get a Labour government, I hope it can rise to this level.

[@keithwarburton9610]

I was at DfEE when David came to visit our site not long after becoming SoS. The atmosphere in the hall was electric and his talk was so inspiring.

[@Conbotron]

Awesome to have content that is deep and reflective! Thank you Alastiar and Rory.

[@rambo196919]

These are the kind of people Kier Starmer talks about when he says' service before party'. A great man, and i'm normally a tory voter, not this time though.

[@Inspectazoid]

How brilliant is this man

[@alu62]

What an incredible politician and man, wish there were more like him in politics today

[@chashopkins6667]

Fantastic interview. Prob the best you've done.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

David looks great for 77. It's lovely to see R&A listening so hard and attending so seriously. --- A lot of what it is to be in a room with people is non-verbal. You pick up on changes in breathing and voice intonation. You can tell is someone is smiling from their voice. You can tell how someone is moving in a chair or what someone is doing with their feet. So David is missing out out on some cures, but not all, by any means. I daresay it makes him all much sharper.

[@Eliteerin]

Seeing him being interviewed was an abiding memory of my visit to parliament between 6+8 years ago

[@DylanSargesson]

I'm not blind but am quite visually impaired, I do respect the representation of somebody like him in the highest levels of politics

[@mowogfpv7582]

I think the reason education isn't top of the agenda is because the vast improvement in education under new Labour hasn't had the knock-on economic impact that was expected. It's turned out that our low productivity economy is much more a product of investment patterns than it ever was of skills shortage. So now we have graduates trapped in what used to be school leavers roles. Whilst people who actually have transformative business concepts can't get seed money because property looks like a better investment than business. There's a generation of young voters who had quite good access to education but have come out of it with a mountain of debt and an underpaid treadmill of a job that won't buy them a house. And there's their parents generation that watched it happen. I am, as I hope you would assume, pro education. But education alone doesn't turn a deindustrialised over financialised economy around.

[@jtlewis5879]

Well said…education is one of the pillars, but not the silver bullet

[@KevenHutchinson-gt1nn]

Productivity was very high in the new Labour period, and under most of the Thatcher and major period. I remember when it was announced we had over took Japan.

[@JasonDemantHypnosis]

Inspirational man:) Thank you for this interview

[@Fiiifiiiii786]

Evolution not revolution.....some sanity right there ❤❤❤❤

[@InArgCroitheGoDeo]

So long as the evolution actually occurs. Social Democracy has only really taken backwards steps since, at least, the 1980's. And Social Democratic political parties the world over have all but abandoned the radicalism that birthed them. There's no revolution on the cards, but revolutionary spirit needn't be shelved when taking a reformist road and the reformist road shouldn't be conditional on interests contradictory to those held by the people you represent. Arguably, and ironically, Thatcher was the last British PM who actualised this philosophy, and we still live in her world. About time it was done from the Left.

[@sulmansohailfarooqui]

A fabulous interview , discussion,what have you !!

[@handle1988]

A wonderful man and a wonderful interview - thank you!

[@CloudhoundCoUk]

Without question, the problems in the USA & UK (the world) today are down to Reagan and Thatcher's tricky down-disaster economics.

[@lenabo9929]

i think that is over estimating there impact. Yes they were revoluary and left many bad thing economically. but Thatcher left government 34 years ago. Aditionally, you cant forget how bad this country was in the 70s that put Thatcher in power, most of what she did with removing industry and privitising were needed. Globalisation was happening if we liked it or not. Her issue was she didn't try and take people with her and actually create new industry. She simply thought the market would solve everything. Which is naive. And some privatisation were silly like water in England, and there are more. Labour did not want to face the fact that the unions were too powerful. As a result Thatcher killed them, it would of been better if those on the left realised changed was needed and did it in a moderate faction. But trade unions and those more left wing in the party did not want the change.

[@idoshulman6379]

The world is the USA and UK?

[@Dan_1348]

The USA is doing very well economically, unlike the UK. They began to diverge while Blair was in office

[@davidk7262]

Really enjoyed listening to David Blunkett. Sadly my idiot brain has been soiled by one of the red tops when I was a child. I distinctly remember a picture of him sat behind a drum kit with the headline 'David Drumkit'. This is all I can think about when I hear his name, wtf is wrong with me. I wouldn't be so cross if it wasn't such a god awful pun.

[@desjude]

Excellent interview, why do most politicians make more sense once they are no longer an active politician.

[@marvellis6762]

As a kid I always said when I'm a famous footballer my charity will be dedicated to the blind. The most courageous and inspirational whilst humble of people.

[@MM-xr6tz]

Makes me feel even more depressed this. I was excited when New Labour got in, but now... I feel that all three major parties lack gravitas and credibility. I wish David was up for the PM role.

[@liammcnichol3369]

What a fantastic interview that was, brillaint sfuff.

[@chrishobson6431]

Brilliant man.

[@indexfinisher]

Wow another great interview. I was wrong, i am glad these interviews are sperate from the main content. I was worried these interviews would get missed. Main takeaway which i will bore my other half with when she wakes up. 1) The benefits of being blind or having dyslexia like Micheal Hesletine which has helped them to think outside the box. 2) Not realising that a phrase i often use the "bog standard comprehensive" because i went to one was coined by Alister 😂. 3) Sadly IPP......i didn't realise Blunkent was the architect of theee sentences and people being in prison far longer than people who have done worse crimes and sitting in prison for 20, 30 years + and not having a release date. However glad he is working with families to try and make amends but yes a political hot potatoe because no one is going to want to review and releae them. Who knows, with prisons over crowded there might be movement on this to recterfly this. 4) On a positive the work he did in education was needed to improve these bog standard comprehensives and i really hope education will be pushed up the agenda by the next govt. It was very insightful on the overspent in making classes smaller in suburbs and i hope if Labour do come in to power they have done their costing with breakfast for all children and mental health workers... when im not sure that is the major issue with our education. 5) Also interesting when he spoke about his experience working along side the civil service and getting things done or as Liz Truss likes to call it getting blocked by the deep state because collapsing the economy is not enough.

[@Olof-r1f]

Kudos Rory and Allastair. Rory ,time to step back in.

[@th20303]

After every one of these interviews, I come away devastated that the quality of our elected officials has collapsed to such an extent.

[@tommonk7651]

What a thoughtful, intelligent gentleman....

[@muqyk]

“We’re long form” “Did you say lawful or awful” 😂

[@susanbaker7282]

Just wow what a man

[@janettrisk7882]

Brilliant! But sad that the debrief was edited. The bits we saw were so good. I'd love to have heard more.

[@twelvebears1971]

Amazing man whose dedication and public service are something no member of recent governments could possibly comprehend.

[@sluglife9785]

This needed a lot more of Rory's explainers, but he's a tricky man to interrupt.

[@sc5203]

This was one of the great interviews.

[@Seftdelmer]

Listening to a cassette! That may need some explaining to your younger listeners. Great interview.

[@jackwilliams4641]

glad he's in the house of lords! Sensible bloke!

[@connor3158]

I absolutely adore him. I'm hoping both Rory and Alistair were humbled

[@yusuffulat6954]

What a man

[@wattyler6075]

Very interesting interview.

[@adriancurtin6012]

Some would say the Home Office is still a basket case now. !

[@UKRYKERRIDER]

Again, highly intelligent guy

[@dsummers1966]

What a fantastic interview. Some of today's politicians need to watch this and understand how to make arguments and views in such a civilised way and have the honesty to hold their hands up when they've made a mistake. Sunak would have been wise to consult David Blunkett on small boats and the general refugee crisis. This has been going on for years.

[@willacarr6746]

Democratic Alliance / CROSS PARTY NATIONAL GOVERNME🎉NT

[@AliHussain-fz7pd]

New Labour was forward looking, centred on visionary leadership, and motivated by ushering Britain into the modern world. From the eyes of political allies across the channel and across the pond, New Labour was dependable. A strategic partner in every sense of the phrase. Their legacy of immigration and EU membership has spectacularly backfired with resounding public rejection. David Blunkett, Gordon Brown, Straw and others were competent and well intentioned, but ultimately reigning in Blair’s vision was their ultimate failure. With that said, they were not the conniving schemers that many of their successors have proven themselves to be. It’s a low bar, the lofty plaudits are misplaced.

[@natalyadell5099]

We sighted people are very sight-centric and simply don't pay attention to our other senses. It was a blind colleague who noticed a small change in my breathing and my speech after I developed a sudden and painful shoulder and upper back spasm (a thing that happens sometimes cos of my disability) one day during a team meeting and asked if I was OK. No one else noticed. My second blind colleague knew who was walking down corridors once he got to know us by the sound of our footsteps. It isn't inspirational or even especially amazing in and of itself, it's just a disabled person using alternative ways of being in the world. However I do think Blunkett was impressive given the genuine barriers he faces as a blind person, not cos blindness is bad but because of how little society is and was geared up to accessibility. It gets easier in some ways when websites are accessible so I imagine Blunkett can now read the papers in an app or online rather than having to have them transcribed, read aloud or summarised. Screenreader users can run the read aloud voice much faster than regular human speech, some of the best at 600-900 words per minute which is faster than a fast sighted reader. And yes, as noted, many blind people develop excellent memory skills because they have to, which can be a huge advantage in some areas. I'd love Rory and Alastair to interview another very capable blind person who could point out the ways in which Blunkett is impressive and the ways in which they are just being sight-centric.

[@mattdavies1]

Inspiring!!!

[@ElliottCauser]

Wow. Brilliant stuff. You just don't get this level of detail when a Tory MP is being interviewed, and David hasn't been in the frontbenches for years (although I understand he is in the HoL)

[@briandelaney9710]

Sadly he went from the left of the Labour Party to the Blairite Right and was a pretty hardline figure in government

[@paulgilliland2992]

We have one of the worst infrastructure for the blind especially in our streets and public buildings. Compared to the major city’s in Asia which are incredibly well laid out especially in Tokyo and Osaka.

[@wolverine6104305]

As a teenager, David was i Cabinet. Most of my exposure to him was through Rory Bremmner and Fortune. This is a really fascinating interview that alas becuas eof work I shall have to watch in stages.

[@hazelwray4184]

I had to read your comment in stages - "in his teens, David was i cabinet"

[@ferni...]

I'm terribly sorry if this comes out as unsensible. But how did he read his notes wile giveing a speach? I can generate a hipotesis of how to read on a peacefull place despite not beaing able to see, but with a crowd and but I'm not beaing able to pitch my self to see a practical way of integrateing the notes into a non-sighted orator.

[@Kevvy0689]

You use Braille so you read by touch/feel

[@mattinterweb]

Rory, if you carry on gurning like that throughout, people are going to suspect that you're raving at the weekends. Are you?

[@rory4605]

I've always wondered why he does that. He's like an elf on LSD.

[@mattinterweb]

@@rory4605 LOL. Nervous energy thing I guess.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

Give it a rest.

[@adriancurtin6012]

The problem with T.B. was that he wanted to take us into the Euro ,for which there was no support in the country .Thank you G.B.

[@Peter-ov6xh]

Classic New Labour bruiser. Sensible and centred.

[@golgotha5321]

'won't get 14 year olds knowing about capital cities today' self admission of a failure as education secretary?

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

He was Secretary for Eduction in 1997. Most of what they achieve has been eroded in the 25 years. You can't possibly blame David for the state of things today.

[@tonydecastro6340]

PRESCIENT.

[@willacarr6746]

METOO ...ME2...🎉

[@wolverine6104305]

😂😂😂😂 whoops... so much for New Labour's "Education, Education, Education " 😂😂😂

[@Cronhour]

"... to give money to your rich mates, and in turn enrich yourselves." Thats the New Labour shibboleth right?

[@KevenHutchinson-gt1nn]

No, the money went into millions lifted out of poverty, the introduction of pension, family and working tax credits, and the minimum wage, Surestart centre's with free early years child care. Record poilce numbers with a 35% cut in crime. Record funding in NHS and education, with positive results.

[@lesblakeman]

David Blunkett comes across as a top , top man , unlike Rory , who gets more like Jeremy Corbyn by the week

[@forklaundry]

Did Rory just ask a man born blind to "give us a glimpse" of his childhood? It's a bit on the nose, no?

[@windywindmill98]

No

[@forklaundry]

Oh good. Seemed odd.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

grow up

[@carltontweedle5724]

It is about time politicians did there job and worked for the people not against them. Screw this net zero stuff for twenty years it is not ready. Stop fining people for going to work by car. Public transport is to costly. The rivers are full of little tories.

[@everest9707]

Vote for Reform UK Join us - see the growth in Reform support in the polls! The only party that cares about the electorate.

[@lukedaniels7750]

That last sentence is a lie.

[@KevenHutchinson-gt1nn]

Vote reform, get an funded program which quickly lead to s liz truss style crash.

[@1957bumpy]

Alistair Campbell you can't get any lower that a snakes belly and then you get Campbell, should have been tried for treason

[@timhandley7408]

Would the reason be so you get a visa for your tarts cleaner ??

[@mywoolmitten]

This was just a fantastic interview, I appreciated it very much