Pages: 1 ... 21 22 23 [24] 25 26 27 ... 339   Go Down
Print
Author Topic: 'Who's snuffed it now?'  (Read 1353019 times)
Honkytonk

Offline Offline

Posts: 4413


Whoo Whoo!




Ignore
« Reply #345 on: Friday, March 14, 2014, 09:19:13 »

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.
Logged
Anteater

Offline Offline

Posts: 1166





Ignore
« Reply #346 on: Friday, March 14, 2014, 09:20:49 »

RIP Tony Benn
Logged
Reg Smeeton
Walking Encyclopaedia

Offline Offline

Posts: 34913





Ignore
« Reply #347 on: Friday, March 14, 2014, 10:08:05 »

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
Logged
kerry red

« Reply #348 on: Friday, March 14, 2014, 14:34:05 »

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
Logged
Flashheart

« Reply #349 on: Friday, March 14, 2014, 14:36:38 »

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?
Logged
adje

Offline Offline

Posts: 13519





Ignore
« Reply #350 on: Friday, March 14, 2014, 19:20:50 »

a rarity-a politician who always told the truth
Logged

quot;Molten memories splashing down
 upon the rooves of Swindon Town"
janaage
People's Front of Alba

Offline Offline

Posts: 14825





Ignore
« Reply #351 on: Friday, March 14, 2014, 19:43:27 »

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.
Logged
Ardiles

Offline Offline

Posts: 11528


Stirlingshire Reds




Ignore
« Reply #352 on: Friday, March 14, 2014, 19:55:55 »

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.
Logged
kerry red

« Reply #353 on: Friday, March 14, 2014, 20:54:06 »

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.

Logged
sonicyouth

Offline Offline

Posts: 22352





Ignore
Re:
« Reply #354 on: Friday, March 14, 2014, 21:07:34 »

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

Offline Offline

Posts: 34913





Ignore
« Reply #355 on: Friday, March 14, 2014, 21:13:35 »

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.
Logged
Arriba

Offline Offline

Posts: 21289





Ignore
« Reply #356 on: Friday, March 14, 2014, 22:29:57 »

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.
Logged
chalkies_shorts

« Reply #357 on: Friday, March 14, 2014, 23:45:04 »

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.
Logged
Ardiles

Offline Offline

Posts: 11528


Stirlingshire Reds




Ignore
« Reply #358 on: Saturday, March 15, 2014, 03:42:00 »

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

« Reply #359 on: Saturday, March 15, 2014, 06:16:02 »

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.
Logged
Pages: 1 ... 21 22 23 [24] 25 26 27 ... 339   Go Up
Print
Jump to: