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Tony Benn

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By *yrdwoman OP Woman over a year ago

Putting the 'cum' in Eboracum

RIP

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By *rightonsteveMan over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

His family must be devastated

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"RIP

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

So sad RIP

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By *kmale421Man over a year ago

wirral

RIP Tony Benn

A truely remarkable politician whose death has just been announced.

While being a strong Labour supporter, I disagreed with many things that Benn supported especially in the chaos that was Labour in the early 80s.

However he was a remarkable and unforgettable politician whom never waivered from his _iew of socialism and did many good things in his political life.

Condolences to his family and British politics will miss his sharp comments and immense knowledge.

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By *ce WingerMan over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

What a guy, had a huge respect for his ideals.

RIP

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By *errynjuneCouple over a year ago

Barnsley

RIP to a true parliamentarian.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Only one or two good ministers left, RIP Tony Benn, Bristols greatest representative

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Bob Crow, Tony Benn! Dennis Skinner must be shitting himself this week

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By *picyspiregirlCouple over a year ago

chesterfield

A fantastic man. A chap you could listen to all night, his knowledge on all sorts of different subjects was immense and he could make history come alive as he spoke.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"RIP Tony Benn

A truely remarkable politician whose death has just been announced.

While being a strong Labour supporter, I disagreed with many things that Benn supported especially in the chaos that was Labour in the early 80s.

However he was a remarkable and unforgettable politician whom never waivered from his _iew of socialism and did many good things in his political life.

Condolences to his family and British politics will miss his sharp comments and immense knowledge. "

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I totally disagreed with his politics, but admired the passion of his conviction.

RIP

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

Sad news this morning but he had a good innings and left his mark. I had the great honour to hear him speak a couple of times and to meet him once. Warm, interesting and interested. RIP.

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By *eerobCouple over a year ago

solihull

We have met him. About the only honorable decent mp that we have had in this country. If only all other mp's would behave in the same manner? A great loss.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Bob Crow, Tony Benn! Dennis Skinner must be shitting himself this week"

About as funny as it is appropriate.

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By *empting Devil.Woman over a year ago

Sheffield

A remarkable man who had the courage of his convictions.

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By *anny PepperoniMan over a year ago

Matlock

A man of conviction and principle, not so many of those around these days.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

A true socialist in every way. I heard him speak once at the Fabien Society and he said that socialism could be summed up as follows

The strong care for the weak

The healthy look after the sick

The old educate the young

Those with the most contribute to the well being of those with the least.

He spoke at the march against the Iraq war and I could only marvel at his oratory and the sentiments he gave out that day. He put Tony Blair and his cohorts to shame. A sad loss for the nation and probably deserves a state funeral although I rather doubt he would get one or want it for that matter.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

A principled politician. RIP

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

May not of agreed on many of his political _iews but the man never wavered from his beliefs and that is commendable, unlike most politicians today who change as often as I change my pants ....... Once a week

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"May not of agreed on many of his political _iews but the man never wavered from his beliefs and that is commendable, unlike most politicians today who change as often as I change my pants ....... Once a week "

And he smoked a pipe,

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By *otlovefun42Couple over a year ago

Costa Blanca Spain...

"RIP Tony Benn

A truely remarkable politician whose death has just been announced.

While being a strong Labour supporter, I disagreed with many things that Benn supported especially in the chaos that was Labour in the early 80s.

However he was a remarkable and unforgettable politician whom never waivered from his _iew of socialism and did many good things in his political life.

Condolences to his family and British politics will miss his sharp comments and immense knowledge. "

I have never been a Labour supporter and I strongly disagreed with him on many (most) things. However he was from that rare breed of politician who put his beliefs before his political career, and for that he gained my respect. Just a pity there are not a few more like him today in all party's.

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By *udie_GirlTV/TS over a year ago

Rochdale

Despite his attempts to give himself credibility by drinking tea from chipped mugs in various workers collectives over the years, he was a thoroughly likeable man who only stopped talking complete bollocks after he left power.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

A wise man.

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By *inaTitzTV/TS over a year ago

Titz Towers, North Notts

I didn't agree with everything, but I liked the youth. I tried to get him to come do a talk at Uni as head of year, but he was busy promoting his latest diary. A thoroughly nice guy and a joy to listen to.

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By *abioMan over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

When I was doing my politics and economics a level I got to go to a conference where there were a lot of speakers and he outshone them all by a country mile! You might not always agree with everything he said but the conviction he displayed drew you in had you engrossed

Very much a man of the people

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple over a year ago

in Lancashire

A true conviction politician, he was right about so many things..

heard him speak more than once, met him at the march against the war in Iraq and stood on a picket line with the man..

if only more were like him in Politics..

a sad day for his family..

RIP comrade

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By *iewMan over a year ago
Forum Mod

Angus & Findhorn

Very sad.

sleep well x

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

25 posts and all positive. That speaks volumes.

A truly remarkable man, he was our local MP when I was growing up. He will be missed.

RIP

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"A true conviction politician, he was right about so many things..

heard him speak more than once, met him at the march against the war in Iraq and stood on a picket line with the man..

if only more were like him in Politics..

a sad day for his family..

RIP comrade"
He will keep the red Flag Flying in................valalhur!

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By *irty_bhamMan over a year ago

birmingham

May he rest in peace.

I fear that with his passing that we have lost the last honourable politician this country had.

Such a sad day.

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By *its_n_piecesCouple over a year ago

"If we can find money to kill people, then we can find money to help people" - Tony Benn ..... how true

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Bob Crow, Tony Benn! Dennis Skinner must be shitting himself this week

About as funny as it is appropriate.

To be fair, you announcing Bob Crowe's death with "a good day for Boris Johnson" wasn't exactly sensitive.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Bob Crow, Tony Benn! Dennis Skinner must be shitting himself this week

About as funny as it is appropriate.

To be fair, you announcing Bob Crowe's death with "a good day for Boris Johnson" wasn't exactly sensitive.

Here here

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

A very sad day. In these situations you wonder who picks up the baton. I think there still are politicians with principles, but in these times of mass media it's difficult not to concentrate on image rather than conviction.

I wonder, if he were starting out in politics now, how far he would get.

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By *bbandflowCouple over a year ago

South Devon

Conviction politician is essentially an oxymoron..principles and dogma often mean the same thing..

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

He was a humorous man who could criticise his own party.

"In the end the tragedy of Harold Wilson was that you couldn't believe a word he said"

R.I.P. Mr. Benn

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Some on here might have noticed that I don't like Socialism & so I didn't agree with hardly anything Tony Benn said.

However I always loved to here what he said & it was never ever spin, he was honest, passionate & totally authentic. Spin doctors & Government whips were wasting his time trying to influence him & how he voted in Parliament.

When other certain moronic politicians patronise us by saying they have "a moral compass" & that they are a "conviction politician" in Tony's case he really was exactly that.

RIP Tony, the world is much worse off without you.

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By *bbandflowCouple over a year ago

South Devon

Thatcher..Livingstone..Blair..(on Iraq)..were conviction politicians...Gove classes himself as a conviction politicIan..

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

A very wise and principled man. His voice will be missed in British politics.

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By *ENGUYMan over a year ago

Hull

Over the years in my Hotel management career and when the Party Political Conferences hit town, I met many politicians, MP's and such like!

There were the good ones! There were the bad ones! Some had such inflated ego's they were almost taking off! Others could hardly talk to hotel personnel, as if it was a crime to talk to such lowly people!

Tony Benn was different! He was always the "gent"; he made a point of going out of his way of approaching and talking to all the hotel staff, on all levels and was always genuinely interested. No airs or graces, just a genuine desire to switch off, not to talk politics and talk to us all.

I may not have agreed with his political ideals, but as a human being, there was no one finer. A lot of today's political figures could do well to emulate him.

When he was born, they broke the mould; such a shame! I was saddened to hear of his passing.

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By *B9 QueenWoman over a year ago

Over the rainbow, under the bridge

Loved him. Never compromised his principles. He was one of a rare breed.

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By *illwill69uMan over a year ago

moston

I have attended a number of his political lectures. He so impressed me he changed my whole political outlook, he was such a principaled man.

RIP.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

An honest decent man and we could do with some more as honest and decent as he was in parliament.

I didn't agree with all his politics but you at least knew he believed what he said and also believed it to be the right thing.

RIP Tony

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By *bbandflowCouple over a year ago

South Devon

"Loved him. Never compromised his principles. He was one of a rare breed. "

Did you love Margaret Thatcher?..because you could apply the above to her...one man's/ woman's strong,principled politician is another one's driven, myopic, extremist....either way they tend towards deification by there devotees

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

rip Tony Benn, the last of a dying breed. In an environment of self-serving, loathsome, lying, thieving hypocrites, he was the last politician who truly gave a shit about people.

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By *bbandflowCouple over a year ago

South Devon

"rip Tony Benn, the last of a dying breed. In an environment of self-serving, loathsome, lying, thieving hypocrites, he was the last politician who truly gave a shit about people."

When was this golden age of principled politicians?...it was ever thus..we just didn't have access to the the truth.

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By *iewMan over a year ago
Forum Mod

Angus & Findhorn

"rip Tony Benn, the last of a dying breed. In an environment of self-serving, loathsome, lying, thieving hypocrites, he was the last politician who truly gave a shit about people.

When was this golden age of principled politicians?...it was ever thus..we just didn't have access to the the truth."

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By *B9 QueenWoman over a year ago

Over the rainbow, under the bridge

"Loved him. Never compromised his principles. He was one of a rare breed.

I get what you're saying but Benn cared for the common 'man' whereas Thatcher only cared about the wealthier.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

There's a lot of rubbish being said about Maggie being corrupt & only caring about the rich which is utter crap. She believed in personal responsibility & she believed that the state should get off people's back & let them get on in life. Social mobility went up under her & down under Labour. Labour create a benefit culture where there is no point trying in life because everything gets taken off you & given to those that don't work & so kills aspiration.

In 1979 Maggie said that we should all be prepared to work for less. She didn't impose that on anybody. However she only claimed a Ministers salary & not a Prime Minister's salary. Those are not the actions of a corrupt politician.

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By *B9 QueenWoman over a year ago

Over the rainbow, under the bridge

Don't want to continue discussing Thatcher on a thread about Tony Benn.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"rip Tony Benn, the last of a dying breed. In an environment of self-serving, loathsome, lying, thieving hypocrites, he was the last politician who truly gave a shit about people."

He was charismatic and I would say he cared about others more than many politicians but he wasn't perfect just better than the majority.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Don't want to continue discussing Thatcher on a thread about Tony Benn. "

I didn't start it, & if people tell lies then don't be surprised when they get corrected.

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By *B9 QueenWoman over a year ago

Over the rainbow, under the bridge

"Don't want to continue discussing Thatcher on a thread about Tony Benn.

I didn't start it, & if people tell lies then don't be surprised when they get corrected."

As I said, not up for discussion. I never mentioned her. I merely responded. End.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I didn't like his socialist _iews but I really respected him for the honest and devoted politician and man that he was.

Question is; does todays Britain, that he helped shape, now accept a socialist politician with a posh name?

RIP Anthony Wedgewood Benn

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By *wiftieeMan over a year ago

near Glasgow

I didn't agree with Tony Benn's politics, but I could have sat and listened to him speak all day.

He was a character, a great orator, and a conviction politician. And by that I mean he had convictions and principles and he stuck to them, unlike the recent and present motley crew, of all parties. All toeing the party line, frightened or unwilling to disagree with the hierarchy!

And they wonder why less and less people are voting in election?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Don't want to continue discussing Thatcher on a thread about Tony Benn.

I didn't start it, & if people tell lies then don't be surprised when they get corrected."

Oh please...

Every recent political thread has been dominated by your pro Thatcher anti Labour rants and your first post on this thread waa clearly intended to take this one down the same direction.

You should have more respect

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By *bbandflowCouple over a year ago

South Devon

"Loved him. Never compromised his principles. He was one of a rare breed.

I get what you're saying but Benn cared for the common 'man' whereas Thatcher only cared about the wealthier."

That might be so, but you that doesn't exclude Thatcher from being a conviction politician..a trait you admire....you can't have it both ways.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Loved him. Never compromised his principles. He was one of a rare breed.

I get what you're saying but Benn cared for the common 'man' whereas Thatcher only cared about the wealthier."

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By *nnyMan over a year ago

Glasgow

"...... However she only claimed a Ministers salary & not a Prime Minister's salary. Those are not the actions of a corrupt politician.

That didn't stop Thatcher making herself a Baroness and claiming House of Lords wages and expenses.

Neither Blair nor Brown have accepted peerages.

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By *bbandflowCouple over a year ago

South Devon

"...... However she only claimed a Ministers salary & not a Prime Minister's salary. Those are not the actions of a corrupt politician.

That didn't stop Thatcher making herself a Baroness and claiming House of Lords wages and expenses.

Neither Blair nor Brown have accepted peerages."

Are you seriously suggesting that Blair hasn't cashed in on his tenure as PM?

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By *ugby 123Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

O o O oo

OK let's keep the thread to what it was intended for please.

If you want to argue politics start another thread.

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By *aucy3Couple over a year ago

glasgow

RIP

One of the few politicians who actually believed what he said.

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By *lassyandadventurousMan over a year ago

England and Wales

R i p sir..

I vote elsewhere but he was a great man....solid and knew what he wanted.

Its making me feel old all these legends passing away.

R i p

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Didnt always agree with him,but one of the few genuine 'conviction' politicians,a genuine bloke who didn't just play to public opinion,sad loss.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

A legend in my opinion. They don't make them like that anymore.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I went to an evening with Tony Benn at the local theatre a couple of years ago and he told a story about being caught short while driving in London. Long story short, he pulled over, lifted the bonnet and pissed into the engine space.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I went to an evening with Tony Benn at the local theatre a couple of years ago and he told a story about being caught short while driving in London. Long story short, he pulled over, lifted the bonnet and pissed into the engine space.

"
Oh my God! Just another example of 'broken Britain' lol

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By *B9 QueenWoman over a year ago

Over the rainbow, under the bridge

"Loved him. Never compromised his principles. He was one of a rare breed.

I get what you're saying but Benn cared for the common 'man' whereas Thatcher only cared about the wealthier.

That might be so, but you that doesn't exclude Thatcher from being a conviction politician..a trait you admire....you can't have it both ways."

Actually I believe I can have it anyway I like.

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By *ophieslutTV/TS over a year ago

Central

One of my heroes has passed. I am disappointed that I never met him. A true giant of a man, very honest, generous to others and his country. His constituents have lost a much loved trusted soul. Sadly most of our politicians are but a weak bunch of nothings who will never be his equal. So sad for the country and his friends and family.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

That's nothing Prescott had a 2nd jag just to shit in.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Don't want to continue discussing Thatcher on a thread about Tony Benn.

I didn't start it, & if people tell lies then don't be surprised when they get corrected.

Oh please...

Every recent political thread has been dominated by your pro Thatcher anti Labour rants and your first post on this thread waa clearly intended to take this one down the same direction.

You should have more respect"

Indeed

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By *udie_GirlTV/TS over a year ago

Rochdale

People should temper their admiration of the man by asking themselves what sort of britain would we be living in now had Benn had his way in all things?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"People should temper their admiration of the man by asking themselves what sort of britain would we be living in now had Benn had his way in all things?"

I think people are free not to. Or do you think otherwise?

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By *anny PepperoniMan over a year ago

Matlock

"People should temper their admiration of the man by asking themselves what sort of britain would we be living in now had Benn had his way in all things?"

The point of our system is that no one person should have it all their own way. That's the reason for debates and votes. I think people ate merely acknowledging the character of the man and the value of radical thinking.

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By *empting Devil.Woman over a year ago

Sheffield

"People should temper their admiration of the man by asking themselves what sort of britain would we be living in now had Benn had his way in all things?

Tony Benn believed in democracy deeply, so he would never have expected to have everything his way.

"I think democracy is the most revolutionary thing in the world."

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By *udie_GirlTV/TS over a year ago

Rochdale

Democracy is the worst possible form of government. Apart from all the others.

TB passionately advocated his point(s) of _iew. And would have been happy to have them all taken up (who wouldn't?) but that wouldn't have been a good thing, IMHO.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Democracy is the worst possible form of government. Apart from all the others.

TB passionately advocated his point(s) of _iew. And would have been happy to have them all taken up (who wouldn't?) but that wouldn't have been a good thing, IMHO."

Do you disagree with everything he stood for? Or are you cherry picking aspects to suit your argument?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Democracy is the worst possible form of government. Apart from all the others.

TB passionately advocated his point(s) of _iew. And would have been happy to have them all taken up (who wouldn't?) but that wouldn't have been a good thing, IMHO."

Good thing he wasn't successful in forming a dictatorship then.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Thoughts and prayers are with the family of the man.

Will evidently be missed.

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By *udie_GirlTV/TS over a year ago

Rochdale

"Democracy is the worst possible form of government. Apart from all the others.

TB passionately advocated his point(s) of _iew. And would have been happy to have them all taken up (who wouldn't?) but that wouldn't have been a good thing, IMHO.

Do you disagree with everything he stood for? Or are you cherry picking aspects to suit your argument?"

I neither agree nor disagree with everything he stood for. Show me one contibutor to this thread who does. I'm saying that while he had many good points and admirable traits, had he had free reign it would have been a disaster for the country as a whole.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Democracy is the worst possible form of government. Apart from all the others.

TB passionately advocated his point(s) of _iew. And would have been happy to have them all taken up (who wouldn't?) but that wouldn't have been a good thing, IMHO.

Do you disagree with everything he stood for? Or are you cherry picking aspects to suit your argument?

I think what others are saying is that he didn't believe in having free reign and therefore the disaster theory could only have been tested had the majority supported his _iewpoints...so they could all share either the rubble or fruits of their ideologies

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Democracy is the worst possible form of government. Apart from all the others.

TB passionately advocated his point(s) of _iew. And would have been happy to have them all taken up (who wouldn't?) but that wouldn't have been a good thing, IMHO.

Do you disagree with everything he stood for? Or are you cherry picking aspects to suit your argument?

Rein*

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Democracy is the worst possible form of government. Apart from all the others.

TB passionately advocated his point(s) of _iew. And would have been happy to have them all taken up (who wouldn't?) but that wouldn't have been a good thing, IMHO.

Do you disagree with everything he stood for? Or are you cherry picking aspects to suit your argument?

I agree, it's naive to think , given the chance, he would have implemented all his ideals.

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By *anny PepperoniMan over a year ago

Matlock

"Democracy is the worst possible form of government. Apart from all the others.

TB passionately advocated his point(s) of _iew. And would have been happy to have them all taken up (who wouldn't?) but that wouldn't have been a good thing, IMHO.

Do you disagree with everything he stood for? Or are you cherry picking aspects to suit your argument?

A pointlessly hypothetical point.

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By *udie_GirlTV/TS over a year ago

Rochdale

"......

I agree, it's naive to think , given the chance, he would have implemented all his ideals. "

I'm not too sure about that. The farther away one is from the centre ground of politics, the more likely one is to enact one's dogma. All they tyranny's in history have, by definition, been extreme in either the left or the right. Who can say what TB might have turned into had he achieved his aim of occupying number 10.

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By *anny PepperoniMan over a year ago

Matlock

"......

I agree, it's naive to think , given the chance, he would have implemented all his ideals.

Why would he turn into anything? Why speculate on something so irrelevant?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"......

I agree, it's naive to think , given the chance, he would have implemented all his ideals.

Are yiu suggesting TB was a tyrant?? Was his ultimate aim to be PM??

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By *uywithaSmileMan over a year ago

Rossendale

"......

I agree, it's naive to think , given the chance, he would have implemented all his ideals.

Are yiu suggesting TB was a tyrant?? Was his ultimate aim to be PM?? "

He was known for being divisive within his own party, and undermining his parties leadership so much that it made them unelectable. So much so that it took a charlatan (yet another TB) to make them electable.

The man was a good bloke. Some of his more extreme _iews were less so.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Tony Benn was a great admirer of Robert Mugabe. That, to me, shows just how astute he was.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Tony Benn was a great admirer of Robert Mugabe. That, to me, shows just how astute he was."

And where did yiu get this information??

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Tony Benn was a great admirer of Robert Mugabe. That, to me, shows just how astute he was.

And where did yiu get this information??"

First I've ever heard of it

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By *yrdwoman OP Woman over a year ago

Putting the 'cum' in Eboracum

"Tony Benn was a great admirer of Robert Mugabe. That, to me, shows just how astute he was."

So was Thatcher. Not seeing your point here.

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By *B9 QueenWoman over a year ago

Over the rainbow, under the bridge

"Tony Benn was a great admirer of Robert Mugabe. That, to me, shows just how astute he was."

How can that be proven given that he cannot now respind to such an accusation.

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By *bbandflowCouple over a year ago

South Devon

"Loved him. Never compromised his principles. He was one of a rare breed.

I get what you're saying but Benn cared for the common 'man' whereas Thatcher only cared about the wealthier.

That might be so, but you that doesn't exclude Thatcher from being a conviction politician..a trait you admire....you can't have it both ways.

Actually I believe I can have it anyway I like.

There's me thinking we were having a mature exchange of _iew regarding the nature of conviction politics...silly me.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Tony Benn was a great admirer of Robert Mugabe. That, to me, shows just how astute he was."

Indeed he will have been, along with the rest of the international community of a bygone era. Mugabe was once a very well behaved,co-operative leader & responsible leader for a number of years.

He then kinda changed his outlook when he got absolute power.

History is full of similarities. Saddam- hero/villian, Gaddaffi-hero/villian. Even Mussolini was in the good books once.

So I don't think it's fair to call Tony Benn's, or anybody else's, judgement on Mugabe.

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By *picyspiregirlCouple over a year ago

chesterfield

"......

I agree, it's naive to think , given the chance, he would have implemented all his ideals.

Are yiu suggesting TB was a tyrant?? Was his ultimate aim to be PM??

The man was a good bloke. Some of his more extreme _iews were less so."

The man was a very good bloke. I have yet to hear the extreme _iews that people find so unpalatable. Could someone please give an example?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Tony Benn was a great admirer of Robert Mugabe. That, to me, shows just how astute he was."

Check your history, Churchill greatly admired Hitler. Then again, he also wanted to use poison gas on Kurdish and Afghan civilians in the first world war, so possibly not the best example to use.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Tony Benn was a great admirer of Robert Mugabe. That, to me, shows just how astute he was.

Indeed he will have been, along with the rest of the international community of a bygone era. Mugabe was once a very well behaved,co-operative leader & responsible leader for a number of years."

No, that was the bullshit that people like Benn made people believe. Mugabe always was nothing but a thug and a murderer. Benn was one of the people who looked away as Mugabe carried out a campaign of ethnic cleansing shortly after assuming power in the early 80's.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Tony Benn was a great admirer of Robert Mugabe. That, to me, shows just how astute he was.

Indeed he will have been, along with the rest of the international community of a bygone era. Mugabe was once a very well behaved,co-operative leader & responsible leader for a number of years.

Did Benn invite Mugabe to tea as Thatcher did with Pinochet?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Tony Benn was a great admirer of Robert Mugabe. That, to me, shows just how astute he was.

Indeed he will have been, along with the rest of the international community of a bygone era. Mugabe was once a very well behaved,co-operative leader & responsible leader for a number of years.

Did Benn invite Mugabe to tea as Thatcher did with Pinochet? "

Undoubtedly he did. The Loony Left were always sucked up to various terror groups around the world.

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By *nnyMan over a year ago

Glasgow

Mugabe is the perfect example of absolute power corrupting absolutely.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"OK let's keep the thread to what it was intended for please.

If you want to argue politics start another thread."

I think ruggers made an excellent point earlier in the thread.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"OK let's keep the thread to what it was intended for please.

If you want to argue politics start another thread.

I think ruggers made an excellent point earlier in the thread."

Tony Benn

R.I.P.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"People should temper their admiration of the man by asking themselves what sort of britain would we be living in now had Benn had his way in all things?"

I can say with an open heart that I don't need to temper anything in that regard.

Would you care to illuminate on what you think things might look like? You clearly have a fair idea.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Tony Benn was a lovely bloke & very principled. But his vision of how the country should be run was very close to communism. Therefore hell on earth. Socialism always fails. Look at Venezuela. The most oil rich country in the world & the people are destitute & is one of the most violent places on earth. Anotehr Socialist utopian shithole, socialism doesn't do any other kind.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"People should temper their admiration of the man by asking themselves what sort of britain would we be living in now had Benn had his way in all things?"

To a greater or lesser extent he has had his way.

The Labour Party now has 3 blocks to it's electoral college, MPs must stand for re election, heredity is now a dead concept in the Upper Chamber of parliament, the EU is now far more unpopular than when he campaigned against it in the referendum..........He did not get the social (or socialist) reform that he wanted, but Benn had a far greater influence on the Labour Party, on Parliament and on politics (and society in general) than anyone in the last 40 or so years other than Thatcher or Blair.......

A great man and a great parliamentarian, sadly missed....

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Tony Benn was a great admirer of Robert Mugabe. That, to me, shows just how astute he was."
I think you will find that he was an admirer of Mugabe while and shortly after Robert Smith was grinding the majority of people under his heel in Rhodesia.....

Many on the Right were massive fans of Saddam Hussein, while he was fighting Iran in the proxy war that the West could not get involved in, our government, after all, sold Hussein the chemical weapons he used against Iran. Hussein only started to loose western support when he used them against the Kurds.

Politicians are allowed to change their minds when evidence prevents it's self. Only liars (or fools) claim that they have never misjudged someones character and only idiots castigate people for owning up to the mistakes that they have made.

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By *nnyMan over a year ago

Glasgow

Ian Smith.

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