RIP Tony Benn

[Longy]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18686794

[tikay]

What terrible news, although of course he was closing in on 90 years of age, so not unexpected.

Despite disagreeing with his political views on almost every count, I adored listening to him speak on Radio & TV. Bit like listening to Enoch Powell, you don't need to agree with his views to enjoy the beautiful style of oratory.

He published his Diaries in several volumes, 5 or 6 I think, & they are the equal best Diaries I've ever read from a Politician, the other being from Alan Clark, who was at exactly the other end of the Political spectrum.

The most likeable aspect of him was that he was a thoroughly decent, good man. A really good man.

The world is a poorer place without him, but he'll be upstairs, in a better place, where he deserves to be.

I'm so saddened to learn of his passing.

RIP Mr Benn.

[tikay]

When I was a (relatively) young man, Tony Benn - then Lord Wedgewood Benn I think, but he later renounced his Peerage - was the "Postmaster General", a big position in those days.

In that role, he "closed down" the Pirate Radio Stations, moored off Frinton on Sea, Essex. We despised him for that, because until then, we never had "pop music" on the radio, but it was his idea to introduce Radio 1, & the rest, for better or worse, is history.

I might just have forgiven him for that eventually.

Simply a good man.

"This idea that politics is all about charisma and spin is rubbish," he said. " It is trust that matters."


Many of us disliked him, or his policies. I don't recall anyone disliking him though.

Do please try & read his Diaries, some of which were penned by his late wife, Caroline, I seem to recall. He was devestated when she passed away, some 15 years asgo.

Family life was very important to him, & he was incredibly proud of his children, all of whom are in Politics. A large part of his Diaries revolved around family life, & fine detail.

[tikay]

From Wiki.......

Benn met Caroline Middleton DeCamp (born 13 October 1926, Cincinnati, Ohio) over tea at Worcester College in 1949 and nine days later he proposed to her on a park bench in the city. Later, he bought the bench from Oxford City Council and installed it in the garden of their home in Holland Park




Benn is a first cousin once removed of the late actress Dame Margaret Rutherford

See.....


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Benn

[Acidmouse]

Sad times, imo one of the great politicians.

[Tonji]

"If ever I left the House of Commons it would be because I wanted to spend more time on politics." Tony Benn 1998.

RIP

[tikay]

"If ever I left the House of Commons it would be because I wanted to spend more time on politics." Tony Benn 1998.

RIP

And he did EXACTLY that, of course.

[TightEnd]

Not my cup of tea at all in terms of politics, the diaries are a great read, and had to admire his conviction and debating

[booder]

Sad times, imo one of the great politicians.

[Ironside]

Sad times I might have totally different politically beliefs but still think he could of been a great leader in his prime, when he spoke in the commons the commons listened

[redarmi]

When I was a (relatively) young man, Tony Benn - then Lord Wedgewood Benn I think, but he later renounced his Peerage - was the "Postmaster General", a big position in those days.

In that role, he "closed down" the Pirate Radio Stations, moored off Frinton on Sea, Essex. We despised him for that, because until then, we never had "pop music" on the radio, but it was his idea to introduce Radio 1, & the rest, for better or worse, is history.

I might just have forgiven him for that eventually.

Simply a good man.

"This idea that politics is all about charisma and spin is rubbish," he said. " It is trust that matters."


Many of us disliked him, or his policies. I don't recall anyone disliking him though.

Do please try & read his Diaries, some of which were penned by his late wife, Caroline, I seem to recall. He was devestated when she passed away, some 15 years asgo.

Family life was very important to him, & he was incredibly proud of his children, all of whom are in Politics. A large part of his Diaries revolved around family life, & fine detail.

Slightly pendantic but he was Viscount Stansgate.  A great man.  RIP.

[Doobs]

When I was a (relatively) young man, Tony Benn - then Lord Wedgewood Benn I think, but he later renounced his Peerage - was the "Postmaster General", a big position in those days.

In that role, he "closed down" the Pirate Radio Stations, moored off Frinton on Sea, Essex. We despised him for that, because until then, we never had "pop music" on the radio, but it was his idea to introduce Radio 1, & the rest, for better or worse, is history.

I might just have forgiven him for that eventually.

Simply a good man.

"This idea that politics is all about charisma and spin is rubbish," he said. " It is trust that matters."


Many of us disliked him, or his policies. I don't recall anyone disliking him though.

Do please try & read his Diaries, some of which were penned by his late wife, Caroline, I seem to recall. He was devestated when she passed away, some 15 years asgo.

Family life was very important to him, & he was incredibly proud of his children, all of whom are in Politics. A large part of his Diaries revolved around family life, & fine detail.

Slightly pendantic but he was Viscount Stansgate.  A great man.  RIP.

[redarmi]

Oh god!!!!!!  FML.  Pedantic.....

[Woodsey]

.

[Geo the Sarge]

When I was a (relatively) young man, Tony Benn - then Lord Wedgewood Benn I think, but he later renounced his Peerage - was the "Postmaster General", a big position in those days.

In that role, he "closed down" the Pirate Radio Stations, moored off Frinton on Sea, Essex. We despised him for that, because until then, we never had "pop music" on the radio, but it was his idea to introduce Radio 1, & the rest, for better or worse, is history.

I might just have forgiven him for that eventually.

Simply a good man.

"This idea that politics is all about charisma and spin is rubbish," he said. " It is trust that matters."


Many of us disliked him, or his policies. I don't recall anyone disliking him though.

Do please try & read his Diaries, some of which were penned by his late wife, Caroline, I seem to recall. He was devestated when she passed away, some 15 years asgo.

Family life was very important to him, & he was incredibly proud of his children, all of whom are in Politics. A large part of his Diaries revolved around family life, & fine detail.

Slightly pendantic but he was Viscount Stansgate.  A great man.  RIP.

The Lord Wedgwood was an officer in my Regiment in my early days, one of his forenames was Anthony, easy error. He too died recently although still quite a young man

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Tributes-paid-Lord-Wedgwood-dies-aged-59/story-20659193-detail/story.html

Geo