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Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Desert Island Discs: Rt Hon David Blunkett MP

27/05/1990

Rt Hon David Blunkett MP

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Rt Hon David Blunkett MP

Sue Lawley's castaway is Labour local government spokesman the Rt Hon David Blunkett MP

Sue Lawley's castaway is Labour local government spokesman the Rt Hon David Blunkett MP.

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is a politician. Elected to Sheffield City Council at the age of 22, he went on to become its leader for seven years, after which he made the smooth and successful transition to Parliament, where he now sits on the opposition front bench as local government spokesman. Beside him sits his guide dog Offa, because David Blunkett has been blind since birth.

He will be talking to Sue Lawley about his struggles to get his 'O' and 'A' Levels and eventually his degree, his time in local and now national politics and the many problems he has overcome to reach his present position.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] 

Book: Anthology of Verse by Robert Graves
Luxury: Radio/cassette machine

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics. Over 900 programmes, as broadcast from 1946 – 2004.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: Richard Paul Pavlik

Richard Paul Pavlik

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Richard Paul Pavlik

A recollection of the assassination attempt by Richard Paul Pavlik on John F Kennedy.

The spontaneous walkabouts of Mr Gorbachev, and an aborted attempt on the life of President Kennedy by Richard Paul Pavlik in Palm Beach, Florida in December 1960.

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