Tony Benn: a politician who actually believes in people

Thursday, 20th November 2008

Mary Wakefield talks to the former Labour minister about the financial crisis and the basic decency at the heart of all human beings

I’m standing in Tony Benn’s front garden, on my way out but dawdling, reluctant to leave. Once I’m back on my bike I’ll be in Broken Britain again, snarling at the buses. But right now I’m still in Benn-land, where all people are kindly and the future is bright with mutual concern.

Even the outside of Benn’s house reflects the decency within. There’s a round brown plaque to commemorate his late wife: ‘Caroline de Camp Benn: writer, teacher and socialist, lived and worked here’. Below the plaque, a Labour-red front door hung with a polite sign: ‘Please come down to the basement’.

So, an hour ago, I did: edging through an open door, down a corridor into an underground empire piled high with papers. There are in-trays, out-trays, filing cabinets labelled ‘TB’s special projects’; records of nearly 60 years in politics: of Benn’s first job as MP for Bristol South-East (1950); of his second constituency, Chesterfield; of various, important roles under Harold Wilson and Jim Callaghan: energy secretary, industry secretary, minister of technology and postmaster-general.

‘Hello there!’ Tony Benn appears from a tiny kitchen. ‘Ish inshtant coffee okay?’ Yes, I say, and sit down for a chat with a man I soon realise is unique: the only politician I’ve ever met who believes completely in the people he was elected to represent.

Because of the financial crisis, we begin by talking about unemployment, which leads to a disagreement (polite) about benefit scroungers, which instantly illuminates the heart of Benn’s beliefs.

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sebastian

November 20th, 2008 4:15pm Report this comment

I live (and was brought up) in Tony Benn's Bristol South former constituency. I'm a Conservative who, nevertheless, admires Tony for his honesty and for his profound belief in freedom of speech. The fact that I think he's often quite barmy wouldn't stand between us if were were enjoying a cup of tea together. And it wouldn't stop his unhesitating determination to allow me my say. He was an excellent constituency MP - for all the right reasons. A man genuinely to respect. I'm sorry we finally ended up with Dawn Primorolo instead - I have an aversion to her. Michael Cox was much better. More direct and "common". He was, naturally, ousted. The local Labour Party didn't approve of him. Too working class I suppose. Too manly. His language - in my kitchen at the point of his deselection - would be unprintable.
Tony's a bit paranoid at times, but his heart's in the right place. He'd never admit it, but he has all the credentials, at his best, with the honourable, blunt speaking, independent upper-class Peer who thinks it his vocation to represent the sound, ordinary British chap, and to say what he feels is just.
Tony, for the sake of all of us who have such affection for you, would you consider resuming your title?