Blunkett, David (1947- )

British Labour politician, former education and home secretary 1994-2004 in the Blair government. A member of Labour's shadow cabinet from 1992, he was responsible for health and then, from 1994, for education and employment. After Labour's 1997 general election victory he became secretary of state for education and employment. Following the 2001 elections he became home secretary, and took a firm, populist line on asylum control and law and order, and was an advocate of identity cards. Forced to resign twice, he left public office in 2005.

Blunkett was leader of Sheffield city council from 1980 before becoming member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside in 1987.

In 2004 he was forced to resign as home secretary after a series of allegations over the fast-tracking of a visa application for a personal acquaintance. After the May 2005 general election, he returned to government as work and pensions secretary but was forced to resign in November 2005 after criticisms for failing to consult the advisory committee on business appointments before taking up outside commercial appointments in 2004-05.

Blunkett overcame the disability of blindness to rise through the ranks of the trade union movement and local government to the forefront of national politics. Born in Sheffield, England, he was educated initially in specialist establishments for the blind. He took part-time and evening courses before studying at Sheffield University and Huddersfield College of Education, eventually becoming a lecturer himself. He was chair of the social services committee of Sheffield city council 1976-80.