Tony Benn RIP

[chrislfc]

A great socialist and Glastonbury veteran passes.

Rip Tony.

[russycarps]

RIP. Thank you for the brilliant memories.

A very sad week for the left.

[Guest]

Very sad hearing this. Always tried to see him at Glastonbury. I remember having a short (10 minutes) conversation with him at the Tolpuddle Festival a few years ago while he was waiting for some transport and came away feeling inspired.

There's no-one like him left now.

RIP

[bexj]

What sad news, a great politician, socialist and Glastonbury stalwart.

[russycarps]

Very sad hearing this. Always tried to see him at Glastonbury. I remember having a short (10 minutes) conversation with him at the Tolpuddle Festival a few years ago while he was waiting for some transport and came away feeling inspired.

There's no-one like him left now.

RIP

[august1]

no doubt there will be some tribute at leftfiel for him

[stuartbert two hats]

Two socialist giants in one week :-(

[Spindles]

I can't put into words the respect I have for Tony Benn. Sadly missed.

[eFestivals]

"Glastonbury is a fantastic event. So many young people in a community which is self-governing and tolerant. It confirms my belief that despite everything, humanity really does want to get on with itself. Michael Eavis is a genius for making it happen." Tony Benn, 2003.

[Zoo Music Girl]

Sad news Never got to see him at Glastonbury and regret that.

Perhaps they should rename the tent in his honour a la John Peel?

[Pilgrim S]

We've still got the beast of bolsover thankfully.

[dondo]

Indeed very sad news. Politics won't be same without him. So glad I had the opportunity to see him in person a few years back.

[Pilgrim S]

Really sad news but not a surprise to those that saw him at the Green Fields last year. Seeing him talk in the 80's when I was a 6th form student was amazing. Last thing he said at the Green Fields was that if you hang around long enough, you can go from being seen as Britain's most dangerous man, to becoming a national treasure!

[russycarps]

I play in the same cricket team as my MP. He really doesn't like Skinner at all, who he said is very rude. Always spoke highly of Tony Benn though. Make of that what you will.

[CHRLY]

"Glastonbury is a fantastic event. So many young people in a community which is self-governing and tolerant. It confirms my belief that despite everything, humanity really does want to

get on with itself. Michael Eavis is a genius for making it happen." Tony Benn, 2003.

[pie_and_a_pint]

Sad news. So glad I took the time to hear him speak at Glastonbury over the years. The Speakers' Forum will be bereft without him.

[eFestivals]

The Leftfield, 2002. The tent was mobbed to see Tony Benn.

Where the feck have the radicals gone? There's nothing radical about staring at your iPhone screen or today's opium of Facefart.

Ask yourself, what inspires you, and how is that to the benefit of your fellow man.

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

I think its important two aspects to him. Not only was he a massive figure for the left, someone who got lost in the higher econs of power during the 80's possibly but definitely had true ideals at heart, but also, as pointed out, a massive supporter of the festival.

On their own, they're both great traits to have, but together makes for someone truely special.

[Mr.Tease]

A real shame. Saw him every year at glastonbury (whether I planned to or not, I always seemed to be walking past the tent just as he was being introduced!). He'd hate all these tributes he's getting in the press- he used to complain about his newfound status as 'loveable institution'!

It's odd- it seems most people start off radical and sell out, where as he followed the opposite trajectory- started off as a moderate and a party loyalist/careerist and became more leftwing (while the party became more rightwing) as he got older.

[eFestivals]

I think its important two aspects to him. Not only was he a massive figure for the left, someone who got lost in the higher econs of power during the 80's possibly but definitely had true ideals at heart, but also, as pointed out, a massive supporter of the festival.

On their own, they're both great traits to have, but together makes for someone truely special.

nice sentiment.

I've just drawn Scott's attention to your words for the sort of thing the article he's currently writing should try to encapsulate.

[coma girl]

Very sad news, always made made sure I saw him in the Left Field and it won't be the same without him.

I said to one of my friends last year that he looked very frail and I wasn't sure he'd make another Glasto, wish I'd been wrong.

[Ted Dansons Wig]

And the people his family thanked for his care? NHS staff. Not carers mind - but pointedly NHS staff.

Even when he's gone he's got a point to make.

Great man - RIP

[eFestivals]

And the people his family thanked for his care? NHS staff. Not carers mind - but pointedly NHS staff.

Even when he's gone he's got a point to make.

Great man - RIP

Yep, that jumped out at me too.

The tributes are nice, but we all know that's not what Tony would want. He'd want action instead.

The greatest tribute we could pay him would be for a resurrection of left-ist views to see off the neo-liberalism (even from the Labour Party ) which is robbing us all blind.

[mozzy]

Yep, that jumped out at me too.

The tributes are nice, but we all know that's not what Tony would want. He'd want action instead.

The greatest tribute we could pay him would be for a resurrection of left-ist views to see off the neo-liberalism (even from the Labour Party ) which is robbing us all blind.

[Mr.Tease]

Yep, that jumped out at me too.

The tributes are nice, but we all know that's not what Tony would want. He'd want action instead.

The greatest tribute we could pay him would be for a resurrection of left-ist views to see off the neo-liberalism (even from the Labour Party ) which is robbing us all blind.