David Blunkett

The Right Honourable David Blunkett (born June 6, 1947) is a British Labour Party politician and Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside. He was Education Secretary from 1997 to 2001, and Home Secretary from 2001 to 2004. Following the 2005 General Election he was appointed to the position of Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Rise in politics

Blunkett became the youngest-ever councillor on Sheffield City Council at the age of 22. He became well-known as a figure on the soft left of the party whilst serving for seven years as the council's leader during the 1980s, and was elected to the Labour Party's National Executive Committee.

Related Topics:
Councillor - Sheffield - City Council - Soft left - 1980s - National Executive Committee

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At the 1987 general election he was elected MP for Sheffield Brightside. He became a party spokesman on local government, joined the shadow cabinet in 1992 as Shadow Health Secretary, and became Shadow Education Secretary in 1994. Combining reforming zeal with social conservatism, he became a favourite of new party leader Tony Blair.

Related Topics:
1987 general election - MP - Sheffield Brightside - Local government - Shadow cabinet - 1992 - 1994 - Reforming - Social conservatism - Tony Blair

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