CrackpotForeigner Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 (edited) Listening to a full-on posh type expound socialist views was a bit of a revelation for this colonial. I suppose he could afford it, but his heart was in the right place and I respected him. RIP Tony Benn. Some facts from Wikipedia (where else?): Vegetarian since the 70's As a young boy he met Gandhi, since his father was Secretary for India. Margaret Rutherford, the actress, was a cousin. The smaller queen's head on postage stamps was his work, although he proposed doing away with it altogether. A passenger on the last Concord flight, as a guest of the BBC (he had contributed to its development). Most nobly of all, his workers' co-operative initiative is credited with keeping Triumph motorcycles in production until 1983. Edited March 14, 2014 by limpid 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post drat01 Posted March 14, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted March 14, 2014 (edited) The guy was a local MP for near to where I moved to, so got to see and hear the man and he was a bloody good politician of the "old school" variety. He was "Skinner-esque" in his desire for fairness and support for his constituents from what I could see. One of the leading political figures of his time and the like is greatly missed within the current lot. Edited March 14, 2014 by drat01 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappy Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 A great man, RIP 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetrees Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Along with Enoch Powell, the most iconic politician of the 60s and 70s. Like Powell, he was way too radical, but held strong to his convictions, which I admired. He had a good innings and his passing marks the last breath of radical socialism in the UK, unless George Galloway is re-adopted. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 A true socialist has gone today. RIP to a great man 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Along with Enoch Powell, the most iconic politician of the 60s and 70s. Like Powell, he was way too radical, but held strong to his convictions, which I admired. He had a good innings and his passing marks the last breath of radical socialism in the UK, unless George Galloway is re-adopted. AFAIK Dennis Skinner is still alive ... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted March 14, 2014 VT Supporter Share Posted March 14, 2014 Met him at Glasto a few years back. A genuinely interesting and absorbing fellow and incredibly approachable. Gave a great speach too! RIP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetrees Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Along with Enoch Powell, the most iconic politician of the 60s and 70s. Like Powell, he was way too radical, but held strong to his convictions, which I admired. He had a good innings and his passing marks the last breath of radical socialism in the UK, unless George Galloway is re-adopted. AFAIK Dennis Skinner is still alive ... A product of televised Parliament but, without that, most of the country would never have heard of him. Agreed that in him breathes a few more gasps though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Eames Posted March 14, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted March 14, 2014 RIP. A rapidly dying breed. A politician motivated by a desire for change for the benefit of all. Obsessed with neither opinion polls or media perception. He said and did what he believed was right. His Benn Tapes are a fascinating listen. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post chrisp65 Posted March 14, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted March 14, 2014 crazy maverick fool with his stupid ideas 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrytini Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 A beacon of sanity, peace, togetherness and equality who by shining in stark contrast to the envious, bigoted and divise types like the Daily Mail shamed and terrified them.One on his own. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Disagreed with much of his politics. Respected the man and he was an engaging speaker RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dAVe80 Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Although I heard he was ill, this is still sad news. An absolute hero of mine, and a great man. The world is a poorer place, without him fighting in our corner. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post AshVilla Posted March 14, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted March 14, 2014 His fights against Chris Eubank were legendary 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowychap Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Sad news but as said above a good innings.Went to one of those 'audience/evening with' things at the local theatre a couple of years ago and it was (and he was) excellent, interesting and quite amusing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omariqy Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Whatever you thought of his political views (I agreed with most of them) he was an MP that stood for something and never gave in to the media or towing the party line. Wish we had more like him. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister_a Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 First Bob Crow, now Tony Benn. Bloody socialists, one out all out. RIP - a true politician. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MakemineVanilla Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 (edited) I have to say that I admired Benn immensely, even if what he often said was so pleasing to the ear and so much what I wanted to hear, that I was always on my guard. I never believe anyone who claims that we can enjoy all the benefits of socialism but with no sacrifices. But the great thing about Benn was that he was a toff who knew the secrets and class loyalties of the ruling classes and revealed them. This gave us insights which those same ruling classes would rather we didn't have because the one thing they are really good is hiding their privileges and keeping their secrets. So for that alone I think Benn was a great man. Edited March 14, 2014 by MakemineVanilla 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wainy316 Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 RIP,one of the goodies! Also the only person that rumbled Ali G during his original 'Eleven O'Clock Show' run. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1Khj7ZHMSo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bickster Posted March 14, 2014 Moderator Popular Post Share Posted March 14, 2014 RIP a man of conviction from a time when being a politician and being in a political party didn't mean you became an automaton.Much to admire about the man, even though I didn't always agree with him, his outlook was always in the right direction.If one meets a powerful person ask them five questions: “What power have you got? Where did you get it from? In whose interests do you exercise it? To whom are you accountable? And how can we get rid of you?” If you cannot get rid of the people who govern you, you do not live in a democratic system. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts