Anthony Wedgwood 'Tony' Benn was a sanctimonious hypocrite, who owed his career to nepotism. These beliefs and principles which he allegedly had weren't much in evidence during the 60s when he was one of the leading wonks of the Wilson era, not unlike the technocratic New Labour bureaucrats that you see today.
When he decided to turn himself into Tony Benn, the tribune of the left, he was loathed by many actual workers who saw right through him, as a self-publicist who was happy to surf along and earn the glory of supporting the workers struggle but doing little actually to help them.
It was the failures of him and his generation of Labour politicians that led to the Thatcher era. Then during the early Thatcher years, he contributed to keeping Labour in opposition. Intriguingly many hardcore Bennites became hardcore Blairites (Blunkett, Boateng and Hain, for example) because through it all, they retained their intolerance of dissent, hatred of any opponents and worship of a leader figure.
Excellent post.
How on Earth could anyone take this egomaniac and self-publicist seriously?
Just a me me me person, who had no effect whatsoever on the life of the country apart from helping to keep Maggie in power for thirteen years.
He was conspicuously wrong about everything.
Workers' Co-operatives? Triumph-Meridan collapsed after a few weeks.
CND? Joke people.
Abolition of the Monarchy? Still there last time I looked.
And what a hypocrite to boast about forming a political dynasty of his son Hilary and a granddaughter who will stand at the next General Election.
But only after their parties vote for them as Leader.
Benn didn't achieve that. He was non-collegiate and just a lone voice and never attained high office.
That "lone voice" will resonate down the years through his diaries and principled dignity when jacks-in-office like Brown, Cameron, Osborne, Miliband and Balls will be long forgotten........
That "lone voice" will resonate down the years through his diaries and principled dignity when jacks-in-office like Brown, Cameron, Osborne, Miliband and Balls will be long forgotten........
Well if the Right-wing Labour Mafia in Bristol South hadn't stitched him up in 1983 he would have been
Comments
Thank you for making me laugh in an otherwise sad thread!
I think Mr Benn himself might have chuckled at that.
Tony Benn was even less working-class than the Milibands. Very good speaker, though.
The party isn't just one man. I meant in those days Labour represented the working class a lot more then it does now.
Whether you agree with his politics or not, there can be no denying that he was a political giant with conviction that few politicians possess today.
Indeed.
Like Adolf, or Josef....
Just like David Cameron & Nicholas Clegg?
But only after their parties vote for them as Leader.
Benn didn't achieve that. He was non-collegiate and just a lone voice and never attained high office.
Proper old school Labour man.
Excellent post.
How on Earth could anyone take this egomaniac and self-publicist seriously?
Just a me me me person, who had no effect whatsoever on the life of the country apart from helping to keep Maggie in power for thirteen years.
He was conspicuously wrong about everything.
Workers' Co-operatives? Triumph-Meridan collapsed after a few weeks.
CND? Joke people.
Abolition of the Monarchy? Still there last time I looked.
And what a hypocrite to boast about forming a political dynasty of his son Hilary and a granddaughter who will stand at the next General Election.
Yes.
What, prey, did this "conviction" actually do?
What changes/action flowed from it?
That "lone voice" will resonate down the years through his diaries and principled dignity when jacks-in-office like Brown, Cameron, Osborne, Miliband and Balls will be long forgotten........
It made some ask the question "Why? Why do things have to be like this"?
As a caring human being he inspired many, even those who opposed him politically.
Not many achieve that in their lives.
Well if the Right-wing Labour Mafia in Bristol South hadn't stitched him up in 1983 he would have been
So, we have Stalin, Clegg, Cameron and Hitler on one side, and Benn on the other.
What was your point again?
Vote for Margaret Thatcher.
Well remembered. I'd forgotten about all that.
Crow and now Benn. Christmas has come early.
Excellent response.
I'm intrigued by Benn's 'conviction' and 'integrity'
If they didn't translate into action, politically they're eyewash.
To think for themselves, to query the mechanics of wealth creation and the distribution of the wealth that the people create.
Oh Ann, don't be shy!
You would have voted for your local Conservative candidate even if Benn had never been born!