David Blunkett, Baron Blunkett, PC served as Secretary of State for Education and Employment from 1997 to 2001, Home Secretary from 2001 to 2004 and Secretary of State for Works and Pensions in 2005. He served as Labour Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside from 1987 to 2015 and was appointed to the House of Lords as a life peer in 2015. 

“In a febrile and ever more fractious world, an appreciation of modern times is essential. Parallel Histories, running alongside the teaching of citizenship and democracy, is crucial to the broader wellbeing of young people in stimulating critical-thinking, analysis of events, and an ability to put things in both context and perspective.

We can’t live in history, but we can learn from it, and hopefully make wiser decisions for the future.

I’m very pleased to have accepted the role of Patron of Parallel Histories.”

Joanna Berry CBE is a British peace builder and public speaker. She is a twin daughter of Sir Anthony Berry MP, who was killed in the IRA Brighton Hotel Bombing on 12 October 1984. The IRA bomb was planted by Patrick Magee, whom Joanna Berry publicly met in November 2000 in an effort to achieve reconciliation as envisioned in the wake of the Good Friday Agreement. 

 “I was genuinely happy to become a Patron of Parallel Histories because their work speaks to something I care about deeply – helping young people learn to see the world through others’ eyes. I’ve always believed that understanding different perspectives, especially on difficult or painful histories, is one of the most important lessons we can learn. It’s not about agreeing with every viewpoint, but about having the empathy and curiosity to listen and to think critically about our own assumptions. In an age of polarised debate, when shouting often replaces conversation, Parallel Histories gives students the space and the confidence to talk, question and disagree respectfully. That feels not just valuable, but essential for the kind of society I want to see.”