Scandal too far for a Labour giant
As he spoke so eloquently about his passion for poetry and books few days ago, David Blunkett did not appear to be a politician on the brink of a second humiliating cabinet resignation.
Relaxed, jovial and even prepared to make jokes at his own expenses - it was, he said, better than only 'little old ladies' kept him company - the Work and Pension secretary relished being back on his home territory of Sheffield with those who shared his love of literature.
The problem was that no one trusted him any more. He had become a complete liability. He no longer commanded any authority or respect; he had made the fatal mistake of becoming the story. He should have keep his head down when made Pensions Secretary, but what did he do?... He went to Annabel's nightclub - the very place where he was going to be subjected to gossip. If only he could have kept a low profile.
David Blunkett enters parliament in 1987, and with Labour leaders Neil Kinnock and Tony Blair, who both valued his sharp, incisive political brain. He resigned as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions last week. Now he has the opportunity that he has craved for so long to indulge in his passion for poetry. And, when he has come to terms with his final setback, he may seek solace form one of his own poems as he contemplate a new life free from the burdens of Ministerial red boxes and inconvenience telephone calls.
One day when you are feeling important,
One day when your ego is in bloom,
One day when you have the feeling
You're the most important man in the room,
Take a bucket and fill it with water,
Put your arm in it up to the wrist,
Pull it out and the hole that is left there,
Will be a measure of how much you'll be missed.
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