Tony Benn 1925-2014

Tony Benn, who has passed away today aged 88, was a giant of the Labour Party and the wider Labour movement.

Ed Miliband, Leader of the Labour Party paid the following tribute, "Tony Benn spoke his mind and spoke up for his values. Whether you agreed with him or disagreed with him, everyone knew where he stood and what he stood for. For someone of such strong views, often at odds with his party, he won respect from across the political spectrum. This was because of his unshakeable beliefs and his abiding determination that power and the powerful should be held to account. He believed in movements and mobilised people behind him for the causes he cared about, often unfashionable ones. In a world of politics that is often too small, he thought big about our country and our world. Above all, as I had cause to know, he was an incredibly kind man. I did work experience with him at the age of 16. I may have been just a teenager but he treated me as an equal. It was the nature of the man and the principle of his politics. I saw him for the last time a couple of weeks ago in hospital. He may have been ailing in body but was as sharp as ever in mind. As I left he said to me 'well, old son. Let's have a proper talk when you have more time'."

 

Cllr Miles Parkinson, Labour Leader of Hyndburn Council , said: "The Labour movement has lost a true icon. He was someone who gave hope to many. His ability to articulate his values and speak up for those without a voice was an inspiration."

He was also one of the most quoted and quotable politicians of his time. Here are ten of the best Tony Benn quotes.

·        “We are not just here to manage capitalism but to change society and to define its finer values.”

·        Normally, people give up parliament because they want to do more business or spend more time with family. My wife said ‘why don’t you say you’re giving up to devote more time to politics?’. And it is what I have done.

·        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.

·        “The Labour party has never been a socialist party, although there have always been socialists in it – a bit like Christians in the Church of England.”

·        This idea that politics is all about charisma and spin is rubbish. It is trust that matters”

·        The House of Lords is the British Outer Mongolia for retired politicians.

·        All war represents a failure of diplomacy.

·        If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people.

·        It’s the same each time with progress. First they ignore you, then they say you’re mad, then dangerous, then there’s a pause and then you can’t find anyone who disagrees with you.

·        I’m not frightened about death. I don’t know why, but I just feel that at a certain moment your switch is switched off, and that’s it. And you can’t do anything about it

[Reblogged from Labour List]