Tony Benn

[Witton Park]

To be fair he was a prominent minister in a Labour Government so he had his fair share of influence. And I wouldn't be too harsh on the modern Labour lot because they achieved the same as the Labour Government that Benn served in..............they brought Britain to the brink of bankruptcy too.

Spot on.

To be honest I disagreed with Benn on almost all issues, but I respect the man immensely. He was from a dying breed of conviction politician and I knew where I stood with him. Whilst I might disagree with him, I think that the values he stood for are a valuable counter balance against what some might call rampant capitalism.

I wish I could say that of politicians today of all colours.

I also find it strange that many on the right of politics would genuinely respect Benn more than many in the Labour Party.
I also note that Benn had expressed respect for Thatcher, although of course rejecting her policies, which I think further enhances Benns standing in my eyes and perhaps underlines that modern politicians follow opinion polls and newspapers rather than beliefs developed.

[TheHeathens]

Spot on.

To be honest I disagreed with Benn on almost all issues, but I respect the man immensely. He was from a dying breed of conviction politician and I knew where I stood with him. Whilst I might disagree with him, I think that the values he stood for are a valuable counter balance against what some might call rampant capitalism.

I wish I could say that of politicians today of all colours.

I also find it strange that many on the right of politics would genuinely respect Benn more than many in the Labour Party.
I also note that Benn had expressed respect for Thatcher, although of course rejecting her policies, which I think further enhances Benns standing in my eyes and perhaps underlines that modern politicians follow opinion polls and newspapers rather than beliefs developed.

Well summed up WP. Pretty much encapsulates my feelings.

[Alf]

When I worked in Chesterfield for a few years I would see him in the market square on his soapbox speaking to anyone who passed and not just during election campaigns. He didn't have a "rent a crowd" for him he just got up on his own and people started to come up and listen. A little "messianic" in a way I suppose? I liked the bloke and enjoyed listening to his voice diaries when they broadcast them.