Tony Benn RIP

[TerrierandJune96]

Although slightly batty, he became a national insitution. I've just come across this affectionate (and funny) tribute
eveningharold.com/2014/03/14/death-of-tony-benn-not-blair-everyones-favourite-member-of-the-loony-left/#more-165404

[Thattimeofyearagain]

Great man, he will be sadly missed.

[bigbuttons]

sad

[zippey]

Yes, a great speaker, spoke a lot of sense, great brain and very witty.

[Bunbaker]

My dad met him on a train once and they had a lively conversation during the journey. I think he quite liked him.

[OneStepCloser]

RIP Tont Benn, a great man indeed.

[Treaclepot]

A man of such thought.

[PansBigChainring]

Nothing ever 'batty' about Tony Benn. Sad day to have lost a great man. Saw him speak in the late 1980s. Brilliant.

[Trooperslane]

"If you can find money to go to war, you can find money to help people"

#RIP

[Solopower1]

Yes, two men died today. One was Tony Benn, who renounced his peerage and campaigned ceaselessly for democracy, and the other was the richest man in Ireland, who employed 1,000 people. Both will be sadly missed.

But who left the greatest legacy?

[claig]

RIP. A giant who didn't compromise his beliefs and stuck to his principles.

[aufaniae]

Not batty at all, it saddens me that this thread was started with something which belittles the enormous integrity of this man.

He was a man of great compassion, conscience and substance, and a plain speaker who didn't do political double-talk or spin. The world needs more people like him.

[ironmaiden999]

A conviction politician, unlike many that we have now!

[teaandthorazine]

Batty? Wtf?

How about incredibly sharp, principled, committed and influential, hey OP?

[ohmymimi]

What a ridiculous comment in the OP. Tony Benn was an honorable man; would that all our politicians had his integrity and care for humanity.

[maillotjaune]

He wasn't batty. An honourable, principled man.

[TheHammaconda]

He wasn't in the slightest bit batty. He was an incredibly intelligent man, you only have to listen to him speak to understand that.

[Paleodad]

if belief in democracy, equal rights, people before profit, equal access to health care, political integrity, etc. etc. are 'batty' principles, then i really fear for this country.

[OneStepCloser]

Totally not batty. You will probably find Tony Benn to have been one of the rare politicians who was utterly respected by all parties. He was immensely intelligent who was steadfast in his beliefs, he outwitted other politicians with his deep knowledge and floored many of them (in the politiest) during any discussion.

He was deeply deeply anti the Iraq war and never towed the party line over it, he stood up and fought for the people. His death is not a suprise, he has been ill for many years and divested by the loss of his wife. I was so lucky to have seen him speak at the LSE many years ago, it was a total privilege to hear and see him, one Ill never forget.

Any tribute you hear about him today will be genuine, from any party.

I do find it odd that you described him as batty, I get the feeling that you have confused him with someone else?

[usualsuspect33]

"I don't campaign for a better world. I demand a better world".

RIP

[Isitmebut]

Mother always said “ if you ain’t got anythin’ nice to say, shut your gob” (bless), so I will, other than being to the ‘left’ of 1970’s Old Labour, history shows that the splitting off of the SDP and some (arguably) decent less radical MPs within - and with the likes of Mr Foot carrying his ‘old’ banner to the electorate when they were sick to the teeth of it - Mr Benn did quite a bit of parliamentary damage to Labour, but by default ensured a few businesses managed to stay open under ‘the right’, to help pay the public sector bills. Happy daze.

[ttosca]

Tony Benn - 10 min History Lesson for Neoliberals

[Solopower1]

Thanks, ttosca - at his best. A great way to remember him!

[TheHammaconda]

A lovely message to his family and friends from the man himself.

Channel 4 News

[Isitmebut]

'Conviction politics' covers both sides of the House, ideology is a funny thing, neither is perfect, but on balance over time, one works better for the people than others.
www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2581432/A-political-giant-yes-But-hed-got-way-wed-like-North-Korea.html