RIP Tony Benn

[Birdy]

Once described as the "most dangerous man" in Britain - really?

 

One of the very few inspirational politicians of our time. A bloke who stood for fairness, social justice and peace, non of that dangerous in my eyes.

 

Met him a couple of times; once in Sheffield on a demo and once at Euston station when I was dropping my mum off. A very warm, articulate gent.

 

RIP Mr Benn

[robf]

I agree. Whether you agreed or disagreed, just like the late Bob Crow, you knew what you were getting with Tony Benn.

 

I think both were demonised in the largely right-wing press but they both leave lasting legacies behind.

 

RIP.

[aspins-revenge]

A beacon of political intelligence and a champion of social justice and equality

 

A loss to all of us who believe in such things.

 

Met him once a few years ago, and had a lengthy chat about the Iraq war. An incredibly polite and engaging man.

[Jacko51]

I met Tony Benn once. It was actually on the day of the Hillsborough disaster. We were walking to the Chesterfield v Vale game and saw him a couple of hundred yards from the ground. I asked him if he would autograph my programme (groupie!!). He then walked to the ground with us and chatted about football and supporter membership cards on the way. He was very pleasant. Those five minutes changed my view of him as a person - which shows how easily influenced I am!

 

Later that day, of course, all hell broke loose.

[JOHNNYAITCH]

A man of great intelligence, grace, passion and integrity..we could do with more like him (even if I disagreed with him on just about everything)

 

And the inventor of the seatcase http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7550000/7550123.stm

[Harry]

Quite simply in my humble opinion,the greatest parliamentary speaker of all time.

One of my all time heros

Gutted !

[SourceOfTheTrent]

Hear hear.

 

The sad passing of a very rare beast, a conviction politician of the utmost integrity and honesty.

 

A true socialist and champion of British industry, demonised by the true enemies of it, e.g., Thatcher and her like.

 

R.I.P. Tony, the world is truly worse off for your passing.

[Harry]

Hear hear.

 

The sad passing of a very rare beast, a conviction politician of the utmost integrity and honesty.

 

A true socialist and champion of British industry, demonised by the true enemies of it, e.g., Thatcher and her like.

 

R.I.P. Tony, the world is truly worse off for your passing.

 

Absolutely.

 

I have spent some time over the last few years listening in awe at some of his speeches & lectures on many topics via you tube.

 

I share a lot of his political beliefs.

But I m not on here to spread the great mans beliefs.

I just purely wish to express my admiration for a brilliant man the likes of which I doubt will not be seen again unfortunately.

[Silfver]

There are a lot fewer personalities in politics nowadays.

 

RIP Tony...

[NellyTheValiant]

A man of great intelligence, grace, passion and integrity..we could do with more like him (even if I disagreed with him on just about everything)

 

And the inventor of the seatcase http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7550000/7550123.stm

 

I think that that says more about you than him JA.

 

A fantastic politician but more so someone who was a beacon for socialist standards, if we were all like him, thought like him, considered others like him, then this world would be a hell of a better place. Couldn't help being transfixed whenever he was speaking, he was so intelligent, charismatic and talked so much sense a sad loss.

 

Funny but not really heard a tribute from the 'politicians' of today that actually did Benn the justice he deserved.

[mr.hobblesworth]

What ^he^ said.

 

 

I've had 3 heroes in my life: John Peel, Tony Benn and John Rudge. (Hang on in there Rudgie!)

 

Regarding Nellie's comments about other politicians' tributes, I found Ed Milliband's written statement quite touching and liked the little detail that Ed visited Tony in hospital last week, with Benn's last words to EM being "We must meet soon for a proper chat, my boy." Having said that, I did feel a little perturbed by Krishnan Guru-Murthy's tweet "rather depressing how several current Labour figures wouldn't do interviews on Tony Benn today. And just a clip from Ed Miliband."

 

Finally, having watched lots of the televised (and listened to the radio) tributes today, the one thing that really moved me to tears was Tony's very obvious deep and devout love for his wife and family.

[Lornelounger]

Agreed Mr. Hobblesworth - when he spoke of how his wife showed him how to die a good death, it was very moving.

I have a sense this morning of having lost something better than we presently have in government - a proper politician who was straight, honest, committed, and able to walk and talk with the people he represented. His comments about spin in modern day politics are particularly relevant I feel. A fine man - and it is a shame that not enough people in government seem to have recognised that. Perhaps the truths he spoke made them uncomfortable.

[philpvfc]

Port vale connections?

[mr.hobblesworth]

Agreed Mr. Hobblesworth - when he spoke of how his wife showed him how to die a good death, it was very moving.

I have a sense this morning of having lost something better than we presently have in government - a proper politician who was straight, honest, committed, and able to walk and talk with the people he represented. His comments about spin in modern day politics are particularly relevant I feel. A fine man - and it is a shame that not enough people in government seem to have recognised that. Perhaps the truths he spoke made them uncomfortable.

 

I largely agree with what you say but I do believe that there are plenty of people in parliament who are good, conscientious and honest MPs who see their duty as working for the people they represent. It's become a bit of a lazy generalisation to denigrate all MPs, and it's understandable, but I do think it is unfair. For example, I know that both the past and present occupants of the seat next to mine, in Wythenshawe, are particularly highly thought of by their constituents and I'm sure they're not the only ones. I really thought the world of Tony Benn but he did have quite a love of publicity, quite the showman, and maybe the quieter but equally principled members of parliament are out there but too busy doing their jobs to appear so frequently at rallies and engage in speaking tours.

[boltonsno1]

I largely agree with what you say but I do believe that there are plenty of people in parliament who are good, conscientious and honest MPs who see their duty as working for the people they represent. It's become a bit of a lazy generalisation to denigrate all MPs, and it's understandable, but I do think it is unfair. For example, I know that both the past and present occupants of the seat next to mine, in Wythenshawe, are particularly highly thought of by their constituents and I'm sure they're not the only ones. I really thought the world of Tony Benn but he did have quite a love of publicity, quite the showman, and maybe the quieter but equally principled members of parliament are out there but too busy doing their jobs to appear so frequently at rallies and engage in speaking tours.

 

I agree with this. By the law of averages, there has to be some decent, hard working MPs who do the very best they can for their constituents. There just has to be.