Sheffield has two Government Ministers in the UK's cabinet, one of which is David Blunkett, the UK's Secretary of State for Education and Employment.

He was was born in Sheffield on 6th June 1947 and lived in Hillsborough not far from the Sheffield Wednesday's football ground.

David was born blind and at the age of four, had to leave the family home to board at the Sheffield School for the blind on Manchester Rd.

David Blunkett enjoyed his school life. In between both learning to read and write braille and his lessons, he undertook daredevil activities such as cricket, cycling and go-carting.

It is said that David Blunkett has always vowed to make the world a better place to live shortly after his father died in a work related accident, and his grandfather passed away in a geriatric ward. In 1963, just after David's sixteenth birthday, he joined the Labour Party.

David was accepted into Sheffield's University and gained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with honours in Political Theory and Institutions. It was at this point in his life that he was chosen to train his first guide dog, named Ruby.

David's working carreer started at the East Midlands Gas Board where he taught industrial relations and politics and was also member of UNISON

Mr Blunkett, was a the leader of Sheffield City Council. He entered the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sheffield Brightside in 1987. David was the Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Employment until the General Election of 1997. He held the position of Shadow Secretary of State for Education between 1994 and 1995.

As a member of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party from 1983, he was chairman of the Party between 1993 and 1994.

David Blunkett, attends Cabinet meetings accompanied by his latest guide dog Lucy, a black curly coat retriever. Lucy sits by him in the House of Commons and travels with him around his constituency and his home in Sheffield.

David lists his main political interests as education, employment and the economy.