Account director Caroline Holmes blogs about breakfasting with the political hoi polloi
David and Sadie with Working Word client and M4 Business Network chairman Steve Sulley
It was another early morning for some of the Working Word team as we headed for the Celtic Manor Resort (soon to be home of many a Ryder Cup golfer) for the M4 Business Network event headlined by none other than former Home Secretary David Blunkett.
And boy did the man live up to his reputation. After a thoroughly hearty fry-up (tip for future reference - opt for the vegetarian option as it comes with beans) David took to the stage and regaled the audience with tales of his time in Government as well as offering some insight into the current UK political set up and advice on how Welsh businesses can minimise the impact of the public sector spending cuts.
Mr Blunkett discussed the current news sensation, that is the Blair book, and revealed he was extremely surprised yet flattered to be described as ‘a man he adores’ by Blair himself. He also referred to his fellow Sheffield MP Nick Clegg and suggested he would very much like to go on a tandem parachute jump with the ‘excitable’ man armed with a pair of scissors!
As well as the political and business side of the agenda Mr Blunkett also talked openly about his blindness and how he once had dinner with the Queen who offered to cut up his lamb chops for him. Apparently she justified this by saying ‘I always cut up the meat for the corgis’. A classic majesty moment no doubt.
Another memorable one was David’s tale of 1960’s MP George Brown who, known for being a bit of a drinker, once asked the Cardinal Archbishop of Lima to dance to the Peruvian national anthem.
While doing some research on David Blunkett for the pre-event publicity I read many descriptions of him being a true gentleman and this morning certainly confirmed that. What came across was that he is an extremely passionate and capable MP who also happens to be very, very decent. His guide dog Sadie is pretty special too.
