Tony Benn RIP

[soistes]

And we know that because he extensively documented his life and what he thought at any one time in his diaries.

Anyone who does that in political life would be open to deserved criticism now and then.

But modern politicians don't.

Spot on. He was extraordinarily open and transparent about his life, his thoughts and actions, including points where he changed direction or changed his mind. One effect of this, unlike most politicians, is that it made it very difficult for any journalists to do a hatchet job on him by digging up hidden aspects of his life, because most of the things they could come up with were things that he'd already made public himself.

Remarkable bloke, and it's great to see such admiration and affection for him on here, with remarkably (for NSC) few bitter or denigrating comments. Says something about the man.

 

[hybrid_x]

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

RIP Tony Benn , went from champagne socialist to socialist whereas nowadays they all do it the other way round.

 

[c0lz]

RIP Tony Benn.

 

[Mowgli37]

A conviction politican the like of which we don't see much of any more. A sad, sad passing.

RIP Tony

PS - Anyone remember his appearance on the Ali G show?

 

[red star portslade]

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Of the two posts above, the Ali G made me laugh, and "The issue is Thatcher" brought tears to my eyes.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Benn on Thatcher:

"The one thing Mrs Thatcher did do was to say what she meant, meant what she said and did what she said she'd do. I thought her policies were disastrous but at least you can't complain that people who voted for her didn't know what they were voting for." That's the very definition of a conviction politician; much like Benn himself.

RIP - we need more conviction politicians, of any hue.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Benn on Thatcher:

"The one thing Mrs Thatcher did do was to say what she meant, meant what she said and did what she said she'd do. I thought her policies were disastrous but at least you can't complain that people who voted for her didn't know what they were voting for." That's the very definition of a conviction politician; much like Benn himself.

RIP - we need more conviction politicians, of any hue.

Yep, the general public have pretty much lost faith in politicians of all hues. At least those two, however diametrically opposed, stood for what they believed and didn't choose policy based upon the expediency of getting into office at all costs.

 

[Theodoridi]

RIP Tony , Another prominent left winger dead. Is Eric Pickles running a hit squad?

Yeah, It'll be Scargill next!

 

[SK1NT]

R.I.P. Sir. A real well spoken gent who stood by his views. If more people were like him, the world would be a far better place.

http://www.lbc.co.uk/listen-tony-benns-last-major-interview-87397

 

[brakespear]

The only politician I ever loved - feel only joy though cos he was ready to go. He missed his wife terribly.

Great piece here but amazingly sad http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tony-benn-im-not-frightened-2121529

That's a great article, thanks for posting it

 

[Pavilionaire]

I didn't agree with his politics but he had integrity, conviction and commitment, a proper political heavyweight. If Ed Miliband had just half of Benn's ability he'd be twice the leader he is now.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

The only politician I ever loved - feel only joy though cos he was ready to go. He missed his wife terribly.

Great piece here but amazingly sad http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tony-benn-im-not-frightened-2121529

Thank you for that. That's a really lovely interview, it's nice to read one that is more about Tony the person, Tony the family man.

 

[Castello]

I don't post often on here, preferring to only say something that has been unsaid, or needs expanding. However I felt I couldn't not comment on the passing of one of the few heroes I have had.

I was reading through the posts agreeing with most, but unable to express exactly what I felt.

Until I saw this.

He may take 12 mins to say it, but it expresses exactly what I feel myself.

RIP Tony, but regardless of what the tories wish, you will live on in our hearts and minds.

 

[West Hoathly Seagull]

I had the privilege of meeting him back in 2002 at the Barbican in London. My best mate from university had gone on to do a Masters at the university where he was Chancellor. He gave a tub-thumping speech against tuition fees, which had just been imposed by the then Labour government (naturally that went down a storm). He then willingly posed for a photo with my mate, and was most impressed that he had been a veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa.

A true gent, as others have said, and this comes from someone from the other side of the floor, so to speak. Unlike some on the Left (and I won't be biased, there are some on the Right who are equally guilty of this), his opposition to Conservatives was never personal. His books have all been Christmas presents from me to my brother at various times - I hope to read them myself some time. Former colleagues at the Home Office have told me that his son Hilary was one of the most decent Ministers they have ever worked for, so his family have clearly followed well in his footsteps.

 

[Questions]

That reminded me of just why I always thought so much of the bloke.

When though in the late 70's and early 80's, starting out in the building game I dared quote him and say how much I agreed with what he was about , I can still remember the arguments I got into on a daily basis and how I should **** off and join a union if that's what I wanted. I don't remember many people thinking how great he was then........ It reminds me of the Iraq war. Getting all manner of crap from people but years later it's hard to find anyone who originally supported it.
It's good to hear him speak again with all that sense and passion and it rekindles all those beliefs I had then but have at times in the last ten years or so become somewhat dormant. Apathy is an awful thing isn't it ?
A speach like that and a Mark Thomas comedy evening and I'll be back to where I was though.

 

[London Irish]

It's good to hear him speak again with all that sense and passion and it rekindles all those beliefs I had then but have at times in the last ten years or so become somewhat dormant. Apathy is an awful thing isn't it ?
A speach like that and a Mark Thomas comedy evening and I'll be back to where I was though.

Ha ha - same here

 

[RexCathedra]

First Foot, now Benn. I feel very old.

....all these were honored in their generations,
and were the pride of their times.

 

[BadFish]