A biography for David Blunketthasn’t been written yet.
“Being a Labour home secretary in the 21st century means fighting a constant battle against both extreme Right and Left.”
“Strengthening our identity is one way of reinforcing people's confidence and sense of citizenship and well-being.”
“To punish MPs because of the distance they live from London - those with fast train journeys quite close to London as well as those at some distance from both the capital or an appropriate airport - is perverse, but also dangerous to democracy.”
“I believe Britishness is defined not on ethnic and exclusive grounds but through shared values; our history of tolerance, openness and internationalism; and our commitment to democracy and liberty, to civic duty and the public space.”
“Businesses that fail to develop their staff are twice as likely to collapse. Firms seeking to reposition themselves for the economic upturn need to invest in their staff's flexibility, responsiveness and skills.”
“Despite being in public life, I value my own privacy immensely and would be as concerned as anyone else if I thought my mobile phone records could be easily available to officials across government.”
“Being an MP is not a desperately hard life, like going down the pit or working in the steelworks - with which I am all too familiar, having been brought up in the city of Sheffield; and it certainly isn't badly paid compared with any of my constituents.”
“Bishops and judges are some of the best politicians in the world. They know how to manipulate the political process.”
“People from all over the world were killed in the attacks on the World Trade Centre. They came from many different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu believers were killed together as they worked in the towers.”
“What is it that unites, on the left of British politics, George Orwell, Billy Bragg, Gordon Brown and myself? An understanding that identity and a sense of belonging need to be linked to our commitment to nationhood and a modern form of patriotism.”
“I grew up in one of the most deprived parts of Britain. I know the problems which inner-city children face.”
“I have never tried to fiddle my role as leader of the city of Sheffield, as an MP or as a minister.”
“The government must give men and women without power a real say over what happens to them, and the means of engaging in a participative, invigorated and living democracy.”
“At school, I was brought up on revolting food - sausages, sausages and Spam - but at home, I had the most wonderful sponge puddings, which I don't indulge in very often now.”
“I didn't come into politics to have to deal with the issue of clandestine entry, illegal working, or an asylum system that allows a free run for right-wing bigots.”
“We need dynamic and thriving businesses and a skilled and adaptable labour force to produce competitiveness and prosperity.”
“The democratic state can sometimes abuse its power as much as those who seek to destroy it abuse fundamental rights and democratic practices.”
“I said it's impossible to have an amnesty without ID cards and a clean database, because you firstly don't have any incentives for people to actually come up front and register, and make themselves available, and secondly you have no means of tracking them.”
“I am totally in favour of reform - but it must be reform that changes the nature of British politics, not simply the makeup or operation of parliament.”
“We need a government which, yes, guarantees basic standards in public services, but which also steps in to protect people's wellbeing as they take part in our consumer democracy - particularly online.”