David Blunkett

The Story

David Blunkett has never been a conventional politician ndash; or personality. Blind since childhood, seemingly a traditional 'old Labour' councillor in Sheffield, he is now Home Secretary and a key member of the Labour government. How did this son of a Sheffield steel worker achieve all this? And what motivates him now? Stephen Pollard has had exclusive access to David Blunkett for the past two years. This biography is based on many hours of intimate conversation, covering not only his early life and blindness but also life on the government front bench - and his hopes for the future. As you would expect, Blunkett is both frank and candid in his opinions of his political allies and opponents - and unsparing in his analysis of his own performance. Stephen Pollard has also interviewed more than fifty other people, including two serving cabinet ministers, in his quest to present a complete portrait of this remarkable yet ordinary man. The result is both a revealing account of an intriguing personality and a fascinating look behind the scenes of British political life.