Tony Benn

[KateLMead]

Tony Benn, probably one of the most decent left wing politicians, refused his invite to join the House of Lords. He was a man of principle even if one did not agree with his politics. He loathed Tony Blair, and was a thorn in Labours side. Sadly his son is not of the same ilk
A great man.

[cromwell]

He said his mother taught him that life is about being morally right or morally wrong. Which is right; which is why he stuck to what he believed in and is what sets him apart from the morally squalid politicians of today.

[Kaz]

Absolutely! A man of principle, even if one disagreed with his politics as I often did! I remember reading about his long and happy marriage, and how devoted they were, when his American wife was ailing and then died.........it was very touching.

They just don't make politicians like that any more - unhappily for us

[lissie]

We met him in the 60`s
He came to our pub in Mitcham, Surrey to a meeting about television if i remember rightly.
He was then Post Master General and also Minister of Technology
He came over as a really nice person although i disagreed with a lot of his policies

lissie

[Kaz]

Oh that's interesting Lissie, and good to know he was really like that

[Workingman]

"Britain's most dangerous man." I did not like the man or his politics, but I did admire the fact that he studied and had deep knowledge of the subjects that interested him; and once his mind was made up it remained made up. Because of his knowledge he was one of a rare breed who were a match for the likes of Robin Day, Ludovic Kennedy and Jeremy Paxman when it came to interview time.

[TheOstrich]

Torrid Left-winger, anti-Establishment and a nuclear disarmer. Not a gentleman I particularly supported when he was in his prime, but I guess I can't be too critical of him now, given my own anti-Establishment views these days ....