Well said, David Blunkett (You’ve heard the king’s speech – but I think a better one might run like this, 14 May). A touch of radicalism. A narrative. A purpose. Clarity. Pretty much everything that the current government has failed to offer. I especially applaud his call for lifelong learning and citizenship education.
There are omissions from his list, though, notably a constitutional reform package, at the heart of which should be proportional representation. His lifelong learning package would link to that.
If Keir Starmer is still prime minister, maybe he should get Blunkett back in the room instead of Gordon Brown and Harriet Harmani.
Jol Miskin
Sheffield
• The coherence of David Blunkett’s king’s speech and its underpinning focus on security and democratic governance demonstrates only too dramatically the shortcomings of the random collection of bills submitted last Wednesday by the prime minister. But if I can suggest a couple of additions to Blunkett’s alternative programme of government, they would be: first, self-sufficiency in food and fuel, and second, a change to proportional representation voting before Nigel Farage gets to pen his own king’s speech.
Martin Yarnit
Sheffield
• David Blunkett’s alternative king’s speech is admirable but, despite being a former leader of Sheffield city council, he fails to mention local government. He refers to social care, education and Pride in Place – areas in which local authorities are involved – but it seems to me that the government must commit to restoring proper funding to councils as a priority.
In my view, well-delivered good local services with visible results will persuade communities that they are not forgotten, will deliver tangible improvements in people’s lives, and will demonstrate that voting and democracy do matter.
Linzi Banks
Kenilworth, Warwickshire
• Why is it that before politicians are in power they seem to know exactly how to solve the country’s problems; and similarly, after they have been removed from power they know exactly what the current lot should be doing; but when they are actually in power they can’t solve anything?
Michael Fuller
Ampthill, Bedfordshire
• I read David Blunkett’s alternative king’s speech and was left wondering: is he not a worthy contender for the leadership of the Labour party?
John Kitchen
Breachwood Green, Hertfordshire
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