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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.
David Blunkett -
I don't think anyone can say I have said one thing in public and done another in private.
David Blunkett
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Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling, in hosting the G20 summit and in the budget, must display the same boldness in tackling the instability at home that they do in promoting a worldwide answer to the global meltdown.
David Blunkett -
In today's world, learning has become the key to economic prosperity, social cohesion and personal fulfillment. We can no longer afford to educate the few to think, and the many to do.
David Blunkett -
In an ageing society, it makes sense to support older adults to develop new skills, prolonging their working lives.
David Blunkett -
I'm convinced that quite a lot of young people, when they get in trouble with the law, it's a cry for help there. Because it's not that they go out to offend. It's that their behaviour is self-parading, it's the big 'I'. And sometimes that means they're really lacking in confidence.
David Blunkett -
I prefer a positive view of freedom, drawing on another tradition of political thinking that goes all the way back to the ancient Greek polis.
David Blunkett -
We need to use all the resources at our disposal in order to prosper. We need more employment, and we need employment to be spread more fairly across society.
David Blunkett
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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.
David Blunkett -
Solidarity and interdependence, a sense of worth, a pride and hope in the future: these are positive gains for those who believe in progressive politics and the beneficial role of government, rather than a detriment.
David Blunkett -
I was affected by the harshness of government, the reality of 16-hour days, and the pressures of modern communications.
David Blunkett -
We need dynamic and thriving businesses and a skilled and adaptable labour force to produce competitiveness and prosperity.
David Blunkett -
Throughout my political life, I've not been a stranger to controversy.
David Blunkett -
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.
David Blunkett
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The democratic state can sometimes abuse its power as much as those who seek to destroy it abuse fundamental rights and democratic practices.
David Blunkett -
I grew up in one of the most deprived parts of Britain. I know the problems which inner-city children face.
David Blunkett -
I did not in late November start the plethora of linking my private life with public events again.
David Blunkett -
The clash between capital and labour, between those seeking to maximise profit and those with only their toil to sell, was the driving force for the creation of the trade unions in the 19th century.
David Blunkett -
In primary schools, I set two main objectives - to cut infant class sizes and improve literacy and numeracy.
David Blunkett -
Without the political parties and the volunteering work of their members day in, day out, we would have a very different sort of politics and society.
David Blunkett
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As home secretary, I gained a reputation for being 'tough'; less concerned with liberty than with public protection.
David Blunkett -
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.
David Blunkett -
I have never tried to fiddle my role as leader of the city of Sheffield, as an MP or as a minister.
David Blunkett -
I have always been honest about my recollection of events.
David Blunkett