The election of the ‘New Labour’ government in Britain led by Prime Minister Tony Blair was seen by many as creating a revolution not only in UK politics but in many other countries that adopted similar policies. Based on a ‘Third Way’ centrist political philosophy that sought to overcome the traditional left-right demarcation of political debate, Tony Blair’s New Labour Government seemed to be spectacularly successful and electorally popular. So what went awry? Is New Labour now dead? What will be the legacies of the Blair Government? What were its main successes and strengths? What were its main shortcomings and weaknesses? How will history recall the Blair governments?

David Blunkett, a key actor in the ascendency of the New Labour juggernaut and highly respected former Cabinet member, will deliver his address at ANU on behalf of ANZSOG.

David Blunkett was born in Sheffield, England, in 1947. Blind since birth, he was educated at schools for the blind in Sheffield and Shrewsbury before winning a place at the University of Sheffield. At the age of 22 he became the youngest-ever councillor on the Sheffield City Council and was its leader from 1980-87. In the 1987 general election he was elected MP for Sheffield Brightside as a Labour Party candidate. He became a party spokesman on local government, joined the shadow cabinet in 1992 as Shadow Health Secretary, and became Shadow Education Secretary in 1994. From 1993-94 he also served as the Chair of the Labour Party. After the Labour Party’s victory in the 1997 general election he became the UK’s first blind cabinet minister as Secretary of State for Education and Employment. From 2001-2004 he served as Home Secretary and in 2005 was appointed to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. He currently sits on the Labour backbenches.

This lecture is presented by The Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) and is part of the ANU Public Lecture Series 2009.

The lecture is free and open to the public, please register attendance with ANU Events. Refreshments will be served after the lecture. RSVP and Enquiries: T: 02 6125 4144 E: Events@anu.edu.au