Show 316 - *David Blunkett LIVE*
Matt Forde's Political Party
The Political Party
4.7 • 2.2K Ratings
🗓️ 25 May 2023
⏱️ 86 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
David Blunkett is an exceptional individual. A titan of modern politics and a rare gift of a communicator, combining warmth and compassion with an impressive directness. A former Home Secretary, he doesn't hold back in his assessment of Suella Braverman and his analysis of the small boats policy is devastating. He'd led a phenomenal life and he shares hilarious stories from his time in Cabinet and the challenges he faced. He's also a mad on Sheffield Wednesday and he beautifully describes the experience of being a blind football fan. As you can hear, the audience hung on his every word... one member in particular which led to an emotional moment near the end of the show.
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Forthcoming guests include:
5 June: Philip Hammond
19 June: Margaret Beckett
3 July: Joe Lycett
2 October: Jason Williamson
Plus more to be announced!
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hello and welcome to the Political Party. This episode features David Blunkit and this |
| 0:17.0 | is an experience, a very, very special experience in the company of a remarkable man and I'm |
| 0:24.2 | often obviously just completely engrossed in my guests but there's something about David Blunkit |
| 0:31.3 | that is on another level and this is a brilliant chat about contemporary politics with a fantastic |
| 0:38.3 | politician and political brain. It's also, as you would imagine, some great stories from the glory |
| 0:45.5 | days but also, and I've interviewed David before but I felt awkward to ask him but this time I felt |
| 0:52.3 | less awkward because I did ask him just about the reality of being blind and particularly about football |
| 0:57.8 | and being blind at football matches and I know there are all sorts of services now for people but |
| 1:02.1 | what different do they really make and what is the experience of being blind in 2023 and has it |
| 1:07.3 | changed that much in his life and we get a couple of questions at the end one of which is very |
| 1:13.3 | emotional but this is and it's just so good, you know, a former home secretary has taken what's |
| 1:19.0 | happening with Swallow Bravenman all those things and he has a hilarity of communication, |
| 1:24.0 | there's such a warmth to him but he's also blessed with just such blunt political attack lines |
| 1:30.5 | and just he makes whatever his position is and are absolute straightforward, common sense |
| 1:35.7 | and there's just that refreshing directness that is still very warm, still very friendly |
| 1:42.6 | but nevertheless, you know, it's one of those voices that you are compelled to listen to |
| 1:48.6 | and he's just a great company anyway and so before I play you that just to let you know my future |
| 1:54.4 | guests at the political party the next live show is on Monday the 5th of June and my guest is |
| 1:58.5 | Philip Hammond now you will know from listening to this show from listening to various other |
| 2:03.6 | political shows is very rare to get an interview with Philip Hammond and of course he was Chancellor |
| 2:08.7 | and the Treasurer May served in the cabinet of David Cameron as well and I think it's fair to say |
| 2:13.3 | not a fan of Boris Johnson and it'll be fascinating to see what he thinks about the Johnson |
... |
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