Tony Benn has died

I liked Tony Benn, rarely agreed with him, but he was a conviction politician, where are any of those to be found today? I agree with you POGS regarding his stance on the European union which he found so undemocratic, he was right, it is.

I remember he was one of the first hapless victims to be interviewed by Ali G, before he had been rumbled. It was very funny, but ludicrous. Tony Benn came out of it very well and gave Ali G a dressing down for referring to women as "hos and bitches" I remember thinking Tony Benn was a real gent.

Tony Benn was not my cup of tea but I agree with his views on Europe.

Out of interest for those who liked him there is on free view 81 Parliament a live TRIBUTE TO TONY BENN being shown as I type.

Just thought you would like to know.

I remember hearing that too Gadabout and have tried to find reference to it.I'm sure he also spoke about the importance of celebrations (not necessarily religious) for family events..it made a big impact on me and it is something I have tried to emulate.

I'm so pleased to hear that. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jugNw7rSdw
only a bit of Tony Benn in this but it always makes me think of him....

There is to be a tribute to him at the Glastonbury Festival where he was a regular.

How many people with such a privileged upbringing have devoted their lives to defending the underdog? In fact how many people from any walk of life have done so and, if they started off with good intentions how long did they keep them? If he had one failing it was how trusting he was of his fellow mans humanity.

Will we ever see his like again. To add a different point, I heard him on Radio once when he was saying how he valued his up-bringing in the Congregational Church - the denomination of democracy where the congregation are in charge. I was brought up in this tradition & hadn't really valued it until hearing Benn. I realised how it's history & democratic principals had shaped me. Indeed many of my working class ancestors on my mother's side got their education through running the Chapel & went on to found the local Co-op, build their houses co-operatively and other socially minded things.

Another Bennism for today; Marxism is for those who cannot understand why there should be people without homes when builders are out of work.

Tegan, I've been giving Letters to My Grandchildren to people for birthday presents this year. I bought half a dozen copies last month.

youtu.be/qX-P4mx1FLU

He was so inspirational and always so positive in his criticism.

Thinking of the 'benefit cheat' thread- his comments on the 'poor' being saddled with debt making them mordern slaves- is so true.

No I haven't [my mind being on Cheltenham and village politics ]. But I will. Have you got his book, Letters to My Grandchildren? I'm so glad I got him to sign it. I didn't want to because when we saw him it was a late show and I didn't want to take up his time, but he gave everyone all the time in the world that night.

Tegan did you read the link I put to his last letter to his grandchildren on page 1? I found it very moving.

I was a bit wrapped up with Cheltenham yesterday but today it has hit home that he is gone. I'm glad that he died at his home; he deserved that, and that his mind was sharp to the end. Although I can't shake the cyniscism I feel over politics and politicians these days, I must adhere to his advice to me to be 'critical, not cynical'.

If you want to read good things about Tony Benn go to www.politics.co.uk

Just watched the special programme on him. Billy Bragg and Chris Mullin had nice things to say about him.
I seem to remember Chris Mullin saying in his diaries that much of the interviewing with Shirley Williams and Neil Kinnock and Roy Hattersley was done in 2005 when Tony Benn became ill and was taken to hospital during the Labour Conference in Brighton. He was doing five talks a day, apparently.

I liked what George Galloway said of him earlier, that it could just as easily be said that Dennis Healey split the party.
I saw it, too, Eloethan, and felt like you. Why could they not have had people on who appreciated him?
What appears to have been missing is the fact that his family all adore him.

I have just watched Newsnight's coverage relating to Tony Benn and am annoyed. First of all, they interviewed Denis Healey, from the right of the Labour Party, who was quite scathing about Tony Benn. Then they had a discussion between Diane Abbott, Shirley Williams and a right wing commentator, the latter two also being very critical of Tony Benn, both in terms of his politics and, to some extent, his character. I thought it was very unbalanced.

I was so sorry to hear this news, as was my husband. We admired him greatly, both for his knowledge and his humanity. Up until quite recently he was attending various campaign meetings, despite seeming quite frail. I agree with those who say present day politicians pale in comparison.

I can remember him being a bit of a joke in my family back in the 60's, but the older I got the more sense he made and in recent years he seems to have been about the only person who really understood politics.

Not much to add except that I admired him as a great politician of deep conviction and principle. If only all politicians could be as honourable.

Saw him last at Tolpuddle a couple of years back... a great orator. I agreed with him politically.

Everybody has said everything.
I remember him from the 60s. RIP.

I'm glad that I got to shake his hand and tell him how honoured I felt to do so. It used to amuse him to think that he had become a 'National Treasure'. RIP Sir. Glastonbury will miss you....

He was a man of principle and integrity, as others have said.
Durhamjen - I like your image of the 2 of the together. It surely can't be just coincidence that they passed on so close?

I can imagine Tony Benn and Bob Crow together having a good chinwag and sorting out the problems wherever they are.
Tony Benn used to go to all the TUC meetings, and Bob Crow wanted Tony Benn to stand for his No to EU party in the European elections in 2009. Hilary Benn told his dad that he would be expelled from the Labour Party if he did, so he decided he was too old anyway.

Saw this on Twitter.
https://mobile.twitter.com/LettersOfNote/status/444407322102607873/photo/1?screen_name=LettersOfNote
I hope I can leave something as wonderful as this for my grandchildren.

Not many politicians these days go to their graves having earned respect and affection from all parties.