David Blunkett

We must draw on our early roots and remind people why the Labour party was created and who it sought to represent. We have never been a sectional party promoting self-interest, but instead a force for engaging self-reliance and self-determination.

I'm as keen as the next person to preserve the right to free speech.

The clash between capital and labour, between those seeking to maximise profit and those with only their toil to sell, was the driving force for the creation of the trade unions in the 19th century.

As home secretary, I gained a reputation for being 'tough'; less concerned with liberty than with public protection.

When I'm in London I do have the convenience of being close to St James Park which is also good for me because it gives me an excuse to get out and get some much needed exercise!

Being a Labour home secretary in the 21st century means fighting a constant battle against both extreme Right and Left.

I have always been honest about my recollection of events.

I have built my reputation on honesty, I have sometimes been too honest.

I have never tried to fiddle my role as leader of the city of Sheffield, as an MP or as a minister.

Being an MP is not a desperately hard life, like going down the pit or working in the steelworks - with which I am all too familiar, having been brought up in the city of Sheffield; and it certainly isn't badly paid compared with any of my constituents.

Despite being in public life, I value my own privacy immensely and would be as concerned as anyone else if I thought my mobile phone records could be easily available to officials across government.

I love the walk although my security team weren't too sure to begin with but I was anxious to be able to lead a near normal life. Whilst walking I do get the chance to meet people and keep in touch.