David Blunkett on Blindness, Adversity and Why Politicians Give Up Too Easily

The Rest Is Politics

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Saturday, 31 October 2026 - 23 minutes

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This week, Alastair sits down with someone who – in his opinion – is the most persevilient person in politics, Sir David Blunkett. Blind since birth, he lost his father at the age of 12 and grew up in a very poor household. 

Despite this, he went on to become leader of Sheffield Council at 33, then MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, and a key architect of New Labour.

You’ll hear how differently he experiences the world, not least in Westminster, why he thinks politics has before too ephemeral and why he never wants to be pitied.  

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Video Editor: Gabriela Gibbs 

Producer: India Dunkley

Executive Producer: Bella Soames 

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