http://m.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-26573929

Former cabinet minister and veteran left-wing campaigner Tony Benn has died at home, his family has said.

The 88-year-old former Labour MP had been seriously ill.

Mr Benn became an MP in November 1950 and served in the cabinet under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan.

Indeed, I saw that earlier on that he had died.

Like him or loath him - you can't deny that he really believed in his ideology and was prepared to carry through to his own disadvantage. If only other politicians had the same selfless chops...

Yes, he definitely stuck to his beliefs, he was honest and sincere about them.

Yep, thats why I thought he was worth a thread. Like him or loathe him, he stuck by what he believed in.

Were just discussing a similar thing at work, that of Bob Crow's demise. This is being touted as the death of British Socialism, which is a bloody shame. Not saying I agreed with everything either of them said but both championed the working classes. It's a shame there's no-one who isn't self serving to replace them RIP

One of the greatest politicians in our lifetimes, a true believer and a very honest and dedicated selfless man.

Isn't it a shame that more politicans from both sides had his integrity and honesty.

+1

Totally agree.

My stepfather has a story about this bloke.

In about 1970, my stepfather was working at the British Aircraft Corporation factory at Filton, near Bristol. It was winter and they were in the middle of one of the endless strikes that were plaguing his industry at that time - as it was for most other manufacturers in the UK. Tony Benn came to the factory to give a rousing speech to all his 'comrades' and 'brothers and sisters', telling them to keep up the fight against the evil bosses and capitalism. It was cold that day and Benn was wearing a donkey jacket. After the meeting was over and the crowd were dispersing, my stepfather and some of his mates (all of whom did not want to be on strike but had no choice) left in a different direction to most of the crowd. Anyway they saw Benn walk up to a top of the range Jaguar, take off the donkey jacket, put on a cashmere coat, jump in the Jag and drive off - probably back to London. Obviously he was a typical socialist leader - socialism for the masses but not for them!

But I guess you did know where you stood with this dude - unlike the current crop of international champagne socialists

British socialism died in the mid-1980's. It only had a feint pulse in 1979 but the great M Thatcher used the pillow and put it out of its misery - thereby saving the UK from oblivion, financial ruin and 3rd world status

Unfortunately for that country, socialism looks to be making a bit of a comeback under Student Grant (aka Ed Milliband), who will probably win the next election - given the sheep-like nature of the electorate. It won't be socialism 70's style but will be enough to knock the UK back on its ass

Thatcher was many things, but not great. No empathy for the working classes, no sympathy for those on hard times. Benn may not have been a better PM, we'll never know, but he stood for many of the things that I personally believe in. There is no true balance in government anymore, they're all on the same side, their own.

Thatcher saved the UK - this has been done to death on here and I have no great desire to go over it again, but that's what I believe. You do the same

They always have been in it for themselves - just hope that you get one that you can work with

Its worse than that, she had disdain for them - like many on the far right. If they ended up as road kill for her ideological roadtrain; she didn't really care.

Blind adherence to any ideology is where they go wrong, and her monetarist worship was worse than most. She did damage that will never be recoverable.

Mind, Benn was kind of her mirror image, cleaving to a 'worker' ideology that didn't work either. Plus he's the twit that cancelled TSR-2 (allegedly).

So why did so many of them vote for her?

Margaret Thatcher was elected and re-elected by Sun readers.

BB

You don't need empathy for people to get them to vote for you, just offer them council houses for next to nothing. Not going to get into a political row, RIP Tony