The loss of a real politician.

[calumscott]

No matter what you think of his ideology, the man's passion, integrity, spirit, skill, intellect and determination cannot be refuted.

Politicians like Tony Benn were the reason why people engaged with politics and took an interest in how the country was governed.

The House of Commons, as it stands today, would be immeasurably improved by even one single Member on each side having the kind of passion and commitment to a cause other than their own, personal, financial and career standing displayed by the Rt. Hon. Tony Benn MP.

If any tribute should be paid to him by the House it should be for each and every Member to re-examine why they are actually in their seat and drawing their salary (IMHO, of course) and the start of a move back to politics for the sake of the country and away from the populist vote-chasing career politics we must endure today.

A sad loss from the British political scene.

 

[Dave1970]

Totally agree, one of the last from an era when politics was more about substance and not just image and soundbites - today's crop look pretty poor in comparison

 

[Jeltz]

The way he said what he believed and did so with well reasoned arguments was refreshing. I disagreed with his opinions, mostly, but I always had a great deal of respect for him as a politician.

 

[calumscott]

The way he said what he believed and did so with well reasoned arguments was refreshing. I disagreed with his opinions, mostly, but I always had a great deal of respect for him as a politician.

Exactly where I'm coming from.

I caught what was probably his last interview with him on the Today Programme this morning, still a wonderful orator, and Nick Robinson's piece afterwards. Apparently his stance was that politicians "should only say what they believe and always believe in what they say". It's why, I guess, he was such a thorn in the side of both sides of the House.

I doubt very much if that holds true for any current Member.

 

[oldjiver]

He was Bob Crow's idol. (I worked as a tutor with Bob years ago). Two outstanding men who stuck to their beliefs. Strange they went so close together. If theres an afterlife at least they will have someone worth talking to!

 

[Jeltz]

I heard him discussing Gordon Brown once (or possibly Tony Blair I forget which). He said there are 2 types of politician, the sign posts and weather cocks, the sign posts point the way they thing we should go and the weather cocks see which way the wind is blowing before deciding which way to go, unfortunately Mr Brown is a ****. (Well in fairness he said weather vain, but I prefer to misquote it for comic effect :P)

 

[calumscott]

He was Bob Crow's idol. (I worked as a tutor with Bob years ago). Two outstanding men who stuck to their beliefs. Strange they went so close together. If theres an afterlife at least they will have someone worth talking to!

Maggie's done a number on the big fella upstairs...? :rofl:

 

[Jeltz]

He was Bob Crow's idol. (I worked as a tutor with Bob years ago). Two outstanding men who stuck to their beliefs. Strange they went so close together. If theres an afterlife at least they will have someone worth talking to!

Maggie's done a number on the big fella upstairs...? :rofl:

Maggie lead a vote of no confidence and got herself elected to the top job by offering the angels the right to buy their own wings

 

[graysalchemy]

I agree with your sentiments I didn't agree with his views but you have to admire his integrity. He was a proper politician, someone with real core values which he stuck with.

I remember listening to the Benn tapes on the radio a real insight into the man, and recent history.

 

[winelight]

He was indeed a proper politician. Interestingly (and once again one would not necessarily agree with his ideology) Enoch Powell was too. Hearing them debate politics together (the way the political system worked, that is, rather than policies) was quite something. These days, we just hear a lot of Balls (and Cameron).

 

[Aleman]

Integrity . . . .

This is a man that had a public school education and then said it should eb denied to everyone esle as it was elitist :hmm:

The man that publicly withdrew his son from Eton (While he was a Labour MP) . . as it was elitist and class ridden . . . .without actually saying that the boy was being kicked out as his grades or work ethic wasn't good enough :hmm:

Having said that I like many on here did not agree with his views but he was an old school politician who said what he believed and believed what he said . . . as far as politics went :whistle:

 

[naturals]

The Beeb did a nice article entitled "Five lesser-spotted things Tony Benn gave the UK". See here. Well worth a 2min read over your lunch.

 

[TRXnMe]

Maggie's done a number on the big fella upstairs...? :rofl:

I read an interesting article, an interview with Mr Benn discussing the two recent dominant political leaders in the UK. He said he disagreed with Mrs T's views entirely, but accepted that she believed that waht she was doing was the right thing to do, however, he couldn't say the same for Mr Blair.......

I didn't agree with everything he believed in, but I absolutely respected his commitment to his beliefs, in my view the last honest man in parliamant has passed over today

 

[Pjam]

Yes, amazing man. The modern guys play their cards very close to their chest in comparison.