David Blunkett: Leading (The Rest Is Politics)

Thoroughly recommend this two-parter to everyone interested. A truly remarkable man, and a wonderfully lucid and clear speaker.

 

Will give a watch.my opinion is that given a fair chance by the right wing media Blunkett and Brown and few others could have could have formed one of the best governments in my life time. Proper politician statesmen with a socialist ethos after the razzamatazz of Blair just what the labour party and the country needed but unfortunately Brown wasn't given a chance not slick or media savvy enough.

 

Oh aye, the whole Kimberly Quinn thing was highly statesmanlike. Jeremy Kyle-esque.

 

Seconded! Just finished listening to Part 2.

 

People forget what a right wing home secretary he was. Recent admitted responsibility for needlessly keeping people on jail.

 

You need to listen to the interview. He’s been campaigning for the past few years on behalf of the families of prisoners sentenced to indefinite terms per his own policy. He openly admits that the policy didn’t work as he intended and he regrets introducing it.

 

This really annoys me about the policies that governments introduce. They should all be for a limited period (2-3 years maximum) with a set of KPIs to measure against - it only then becomes permanent if a set number of the KPIs are exceeded or there is a confirmatory vote in Parliament overriding the policy not achieving its stated objectives.

 

Unnecessary. The doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty means that any legislation can be repealed or amended if the government of the day thinks it was mistaken, or is no longer relevant or appropriate.