'Who's snuffed it now?'

[Honkytonk]

Bad week for the old school socialists of London.  First Bob Crow, and now Tony Benn.  I would imagine Ken Livingstone is absolutely shitting it right now.

I can see Ken Livingstone living to a ripe old age and pissing people off for years to come.

[Anteater]

RIP Tony Benn

[Reg Smeeton]

This'll make Levi & Reg choke on their Hovis. I actually admired the bloke, didn't agree with his political leanings but a man of conviction who it appeared never waivered from his beliefs.

Still, the tobacco industries loss is the champagne industries gain.

I listened to a speech by Tony in the summer....it was clear he didn't have too long left, but still made the effort, this country is a lot worse off now for his passing.

Ideas though live on...I can thoroughly recommend his book....Arguments for Democracy

[kerry red]

This is sad news. Read his autobiography a while back and, while not agreeing much with his views, at least he didn't waiver with public opinion.

A conviction politician

[Flashheart]

This is sad news. Read his autobiography a while back and, while not agreeing much with his views, at least he didn't waiver with public opinion.

A conviction politician

What, he spent time in prison?

[adje]

a rarity-a politician who always told the truth

[janaage]

Sad to hear the news of Tony Benn's passing. Like others I didn't agree with all he had to say, but he was a 'proper' politician who stood for what he felt was right. To think we have to put up with Mps like Justin Tomlinson these days. Says it all really.

[Ardiles]

I do agree that Tony Benn was a conviction politician.  But I also feel that, ironically, those convictions played a part in making his party unelectable for the best part of a generation.  The electorate resoundingly rejected the left-wing agenda he & Michael Foot (among others) were pushing in the late 1970s/early 1980s.  All very noble, & I don't want to denigrate it necessarily.  It's just that there are many out there who hold him responsible for keeping Labour out of office for so long and cementing Thatcher's hold on the electoral centre ground in her early years.

[kerry red]

I would have thought Michael Foot made Labour unelectable on his own.

That donkey jacket he wore at the Remembrance Day was a defining moment.

Always thought is strange that Labour has never found their equivalent of Thatcher - Tony Benn was probably the closest.

[sonicyouth]

I thought it interesting that Cameron's remarks on his passing made no mention of Benn as a politician whatsoever.

[Reg Smeeton]

I do agree that Tony Benn was a conviction politician.  But I also feel that, ironically, those convictions played a part in making his party unelectable for the best part of a generation.  The electorate resoundingly rejected the left-wing agenda he & Michael Foot (among others) were pushing in the late 1970s/early 1980s.  All very noble, & I don't want to denigrate it necessarily.  It's just that there are many out there who hold him responsible for keeping Labour out of office for so long and cementing Thatcher's hold on the electoral centre ground in her early years.

Nevertheless 8.5 million people voted for such measures as the abandoning of Trident, and removal of all US bases from the UK...good to have the option even if unsuccessful....you can't complain about politicians doing what they believe to be right, then complain that they should alter their policies to be electable.

In the 83 election the votes cast for Labour + SDP/Libs...outweighed those cast for Thatcher.

[Arriba]

Was the alternative any better?
Were the Tory years worth it? A big fucking no from me.
Socialism is the right way. It's just that everyone is too selfish and greedy for it to happen. Maybe one day humans will come to their senses though. Unlikely in my lifetime I think.

[chalkies_shorts]

I would have thought Michael Foot made Labour unelectable on his own.

That donkey jacket he wore at the Remembrance Day was a defining moment.

Always thought is strange that Labour has never found their equivalent of Thatcher - Tony Benn was probably the closest.

History looks very unkindly on Michael Foot mainly because of the way he looked. he was a fantastic speaker and a tremendous intellect although he was a massive Argyle fan. He was never a leader though.

[Ardiles]

Aside from the speaker and Plymouth bits, you've just described Miliband.

[fatbasher]

History looks very unkindly on Michael Foot mainly because of the way he looked. he was a fantastic speaker and a tremendous intellect although he was a massive Argyle fan. He was never a leader though.

He was also a coward (contientious objector) and refused to fight for his country during WW2 and was interned.