Former Home Secretary David Blunkett has reflected on his experience during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, just three months into his tenure, and has offered his perspectives on current political challenges facing the UK.

Mr Blunkett, a Labour Party politician and former MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, also suggested a change to French law concerning dinghies as a measure to reduce Channel crossings, according to The Times.

David Blunkett Reflects on 9/11 and His Role as Home Secretary

David Blunkett vividly recalled the events of September 11, 2001, stating he would “never forget that day”. He was addressing the Police Superintendent’s annual conference at Warwick University when initial messages began to filter through about a “terrible incident”. His son, Hugh, telephoned him from outside a television shop, and a protection team member soon informed him that Number 10 had requested his immediate presence upon returning to London.

The subsequent meeting in Cabinet Office Briefing Room A (COBRA) was described by Mr Blunkett as a “calm, thoughtful and incredibly serious discussion”. The then-Prime Minister, Tony Blair, chaired the meeting with appropriate gravity, while Gordon Brown outlined the potential economic ramifications. As Home Secretary, Mr Blunkett’s primary responsibility was to safeguard the UK from internal attack, balancing heightened security measures with the critical need to maintain public reassurance and social cohesion. This led to the message he coined: “alert but not alarmed,” aimed at providing people with confidence to continue their daily lives.

Blunkett’s Views on Current Political Challenges and Leadership

Many years on from 9/11, Mr Blunkett observes that the UK faces “very different challenges” today, yet the necessity for vigilance in protecting the nation’s democracy, economy, and social fabric remains paramount. He referenced his friend, Andy Burnham, in the context of a new Prime Minister, noting that “expectations of what he can achieve have gone through the roof” due to a message of belief and hope.

Mr Blunkett highlighted steps taken by this hypothetical new Prime Minister over the summer, including “modest but very welcome reductions in energy costs by reducing VAT” to provide “breathing space,” alongside promises of support for pubs and hospitality, and initial efforts to address the criminal justice system. He recalled that when Andy Burnham served as his Parliamentary Private Secretary after 9/11, particularly during periods of “unauthorised migration from across the Channel,” they learned the importance of listening to and learning from those most affected. He recounted an instance in the Lake District where a lady expressed frustration about asylum seekers in her area, only for an investigation to reveal just one family had been housed there.

Emphasising the complexity of the current climate, Mr Blunkett pointed to the recent success of the far-right Alternative for Germany in Saxony-Anhalt, capturing 43.8 per cent of the vote despite being deemed “dangerously far right” by federal security services. He described these as “very dangerous times.” He noted that Andy Burnham, like himself, learned a great deal from the aftermath of the 2001 tragedy, particularly the importance of remaining calm, acknowledging people’s fears, and balancing difficult actions with public involvement in decision-making, as he wrote in the Yorkshire Post.

Blunkett Proposes French Law Change for Channel Crossings

In a separate development, David Blunkett has suggested a direct measure to address the issue of Channel crossings. He proposed that France should change its laws concerning dinghies as a way to curb the number of migrants attempting to cross the Channel.