Tony Benn - One of The greatest Politicians Has Died (Merged)

The NetThe Net Posts: 5,479
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Aged 88 at home.
«134567

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  • Sniffle774Sniffle774 Posts: 20,290
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    Just announced on Sky News. Such a shame, a real conviction politician IMO and he makes many of the modern crop look so very shallow. RIP.
  • smudges dadsmudges dad Posts: 36,989
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    Sad news, just announced on 5live. One of the last great politicians has just died.
  • imrightokimrightok Posts: 8,492
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    Reported on radio 5 live.
  • Sniffle774Sniffle774 Posts: 20,290
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    Just noticed an earlier thread. Might need some merging please Mods...
  • Department_SDepartment_S Posts: 4,915
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    Very sad. I always looked forward to hearing him speak at Glastonbury. In my view one of the greatest socialists who was admired by all parties
  • HotgossipHotgossip Posts: 22,385
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    Great loss. Lovely old boy.
  • LateralthinkingLateralthinking Posts: 8,027
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    Very sad news.

    My comments are on the earlier thread about his illness.
  • Richard1960Richard1960 Posts: 20,334
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    Yes very sad news it makes me glad during the storms of october last year i made the journey to see him in Norwich (including an expensive cab trip[ from Harlow to Cambridge as our local train service was suspended} and even though he was obviosly ill his brain was as sharp as ever.

    RIP Tony whilst many did not agree with your politics nobody could say you did not have conviction anybody that disliked what Blair did to the party is ok by me.
  • Department_SDepartment_S Posts: 4,915
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    Very sad news.

    My comments are on the earlier thread about his illness.

    I am sure we will hear all about his renouncing his peerage. A very honest act at a time which astonished people at the time.
  • Richard1960Richard1960 Posts: 20,334
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    He must of made an impact 5 threads about him already.:)
  • The NetThe Net Posts: 5,479
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    I met him at University debate in the late 70s. My word what a charisma and how he put his opponents to the sword and he listened to.
  • JillyJilly Posts: 20,455
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    He stuck to his beliefs and recognised for it.
  • 2+2=52+2=5 Posts: 24,264
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    One of the great politicians whose memory will live long. Rest in peace fella, you were a good'un.
  • LateralthinkingLateralthinking Posts: 8,027
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    I am sure we will hear all about his renouncing his peerage. A very honest act at a time which astonished people at the time.

    Yes. The timing has caught R4 and LBC on the hop but the tributes will be coming in during the next few hours. I too heard him speak at Glastonbury and also in Westminster. Politically I'm a bit here and there and always have been, for which no apologies, but I identified very closely with what I can only describe as his huge cultural impact among many in his latter years. That is, the older Tony Benn who was around festivals and other events when he left Parliament "to spend more time on politics". His deep thinking, knowledge of history, sense of humour and ability to converse with most all spoke to me. I'd say ultimately he was the British politician of my lifetime who meant the most to me, not necessarily in terms of all policy but as an individual. I know many will feel the same.
  • EddyBeeEddyBee Posts: 45,509
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    RIP Tony and thank you.
  • mossy2103mossy2103 Posts: 84,307
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    Jilly wrote: »
    He stuck to his beliefs and recognised for it.

    Indeed, a politician of conviction (there are too few of those these days), and a great orator.
  • Nessun DormaNessun Dorma Posts: 12,846
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    No matter what, when he spoke, everyone listened.
  • AZZURRI 06AZZURRI 06 Posts: 11,173
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    Great man, rest in peace.
  • fainéantfainéant Posts: 2,654
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    A politician who famously stood down from parliament "to spend more time on politics" and did so, deserves the utmost respect. RIP
  • AnnsyreAnnsyre Posts: 109,398
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    The Net wrote: »
    I met him at University debate in the late 70s. My word what a charisma and how he put his opponents to the sword and he listened to.

    That's because he had the benefit of an excellent public school education which taught the arts of debate and he went on to become the President of the Oxford Union in his time there.

    He was an accomplished orator and writer.
  • AdsAds Posts: 37,036
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    He was wrong pretty much all of the time, but he undoubtedly was a conviction politician, who cared little for what the party line at the time was.
  • AnnsyreAnnsyre Posts: 109,398
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    Ads wrote: »
    He was wrong pretty much all of the time, but he undoubtedly was a conviction politician, who cared little for what the party line at the time was.

    That's why he didn't hold any of the high offices in government.
  • Andrew1954Andrew1954 Posts: 5,448
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    Marvellous speaker and debater. I always enjoyed listening to him. He made me think even though I often didn't agree with his view of things. A decent man and politician I thought. We could do with more like him on all sides of politics.
  • Pete GrainPete Grain Posts: 1,056
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    He was wrong pretty much all of the time

    Re BiB

    You continue to live in your own wee fantasy bubble.

    Mr Benn had more conviction, principles and sanity about him than this entire excuse for a government has. In fact, since Blair & spin became the 'in thing', *ALL* politicans of recent times, along with their 'tongue in cheek' alleged manifestos - have become little more than highly aggravating pieces of 'forked tongue' flotsam..worthy only of societies scorn and rightful ire.

    As for Cameron, IDS, Osborne, May, Hunt etc...*IF* their is justice, then one day they'll be tried for crimes against their people...albeit the jowelly Dail Mail fraternity may be aghast at such a notion.
  • duckymallardduckymallard Posts: 13,936
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    Could not stand his policies or his views, but credit to him for being a man of principle who never once wavered from what he believed in.

    RIP
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