Correspondence between Blunkett and Tony Blair, Leader of the Opposition, in the run up to Labour's victory in the 1997 general election. Mainly contains letters written by Blunkett to Blair relating to education and employment policy and the 1997 general election campaign, but includes some responses from Blair, most of which are handwritten. Also contains correspondence with staff in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, including David Miliband, as Labour's Head of Policy. Subjects include: Blunkett's appointment as shadow education secretary, and the selection of his team; Labour policy towards grant maintained schools; shadow education and employment brief following government's merger of the Department for Education and the Department of Employment; early years policy; shadow cabinet responsibilities in run-up to the general election; media appearance by members of the shadow cabinet as part of the general election campaign; the future of the NEC; and the structure of the DFEE in the event of a Labour government (in confidential note entitled 'The Machinery of Government').

See also the memoir series for later correspondence with Blair (467/8).