The world according to Blunkett...

10.00.00am GMT Thu 9th Dec 2004

As if David Blunkett didn't have enough to worry about he has given his biographer Stephen Pollard his views on his colleagues and also his future chances on becoming Prime Minster. The biography is out next week and with quotes like this it may even be worth buying.

According to Stephen Pollard like any senior politician, Mr Blunkett wanted the biggest of all jobs "He knew the chances of that were slim but that was no reason to avoid doing his best to be in a position to mount a serious challenge." however Blunkett admits he would "be wiped clean if I stood against Gordon" for the leadership.

Again according to Stephen Pollard "Given a choice of jobs, he would like to be chancellor of the exchequer. Foreign secretary did not appeal: the constant travelling around would be too much."

Blunkett's other views are:

Jack Straw

'God alone knows what Jack did for four years [as home secretary]. It was a giant mess'

Charles Clarke's performance

'They've taken their foot off the accelerator. They've gone soft'

John Prescott

'The Two Jags nickname really gets to him'

Gordon Brown

'Throws his weight around'