| Blunkett's
class Monday December 20, 2004 The Guardian Blunkett blames his downfall on the class prejudice of the "American millionairess" against the "working-class lad". Most disabled people are working-class and have similar childhood experiences of institutions. However, once at the top, rather than represent us, he dished out discrimination. In 1999, as education and employment
minister, he was heckled at the entrance to parliament by disabled people
protesting against benefit cuts in the welfare reform bill - mostly
affecting those with no alternative income. His integration into
mainstream politics, impressive because it's so rare, was at the cost to
us of the draconian policies he was eager to advance. He also imposed
destitution or at best desperation on asylum seekers, including those with
disabilities. One woman wheelchair user lives on £4 a day Tesco vouchers.
Her branch is two bus rides away. Families don't need fathers for
injustice like this.
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