Tony Benn RIP

[Field Commander Jefferson]

A champion, great man.

[MrZigster]

Sad news indeed. Speakers Corner and Leftfield will be a bit bereft this year.

[Pinhead]

BBC Live Feed:

13:09:

Michael Eavis, founder of the Glastonbury Festival, which Tony Benn regularly attended, says: "Tony Benn achieved legendary status in his own lifetime as he fought to improve the lot of the working-class people of this country."

"Glastonbury Festival's Michael Eavis continues: "As a politician, he presented his arguments in such a way that even his opponents couldn't resist his charm. We were very privileged to have him starring at the Left Field political forum on so many occasions. His absence this year will be really sad."

11:16: Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Mark Serwotka says his "fondest memories are of being in the Leftfield tent at Glastonbury - packed with young people - and seeing him electrify the place simply by walking on the stage." He said Mr Benn was "a political giant who spoke with incredible clarity of vision and purpose".

Edited March 14, 2014 by Pinhead

[The 38 year old virgin]

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.

[LondonTom]

A sad loss and nothing more to add than what many have already said. His one of very politcians/speakers I have any respect for, seemed to have something genuine about him and what he believed in.

Quite gutted now that I never made the effort to go listen to him at Glastonbury in person now.

[Trebor]

I'm ashamed to say I never saw him at Glasto. I was on the Stop the War march though. A great day, mired by what was to follow.

[budvar]

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?

[alframsey]

Tony Benn is as important to British socialism as any of individual, a truly amazing and admirable man. His loss is not only a hammer blow for us on the left but for British society as a whole, his presence will be truly and genuinely missed. Rest In Peace Tony, you've much to be proud of.

[phil the shrew]

Saw him speak at Leftfield a few times including last year where he looked very frail but still spoke with great spirit - whilst puffing on his pipe. Strangely none of the security staff seemed to want to mention the no smoking in the tent rule!

What struck me at the time was how you were in the company of someone involved in so much of 20th century history. As a youngster he met Lloyd George and Gandhi; through his mother was involved in early femenist movement; served in WW2; was there at formation of NHS; helped commission Concorde; played a role in opposing nuclear weapons and stood up against the Iraq and Afghan wars. Oh and was an MP for all that time

Going to be much missed at Leftfield but hope his spirit continues to influence the festival

[russycarps]

A vegetarian too. The reason being he realised how much grain used as animal feed could actually be used to feed starving humans.

[GlastoSimon]

Only a teenager, so obviously missed the vast majority of Benn's political career. Wanted to see him talk at Glastonbury, something which I told myself I'd most certainly do at this year's festival if he was around. Obviously not going to be the case now.

Such a shame we don't see more politicians of his ilk: Was never afraid to express his opinion, even if it upset people - sometimes even his own party didn't agree. Far different to the political convergence we have going on at the moment.

Such a shame - when you look at some of the politicians Old Labour used to produce - that most modern politicians are the same these days (Blair and co. epitomised that movement).

Edited March 14, 2014 by GlastoSimon

[gibbin82]

I must admit to being very sad when I heard the news this morning, I can't find anything to say other than he will be missed. I will leave it to Tony to have the last word in this interview on he BBC site http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24662179

[suzie sue]

He was a distant relation of mine, only met him once but have always been so proud. Such a kind spirit, I just hope that he continues to inspire, it's great to read all of the stories of how he inspired.

[scaryclaireyfairy]

there's a tribute programme on bbc2 later on (23.10 in scotland, might vary elsewhere).

[Guest]

Very sad atmosphere when the news broke in our house, it appears I'm the only adult member of the family who never shook him by the hand and exchanged nice words with him, but it was nice to see him speak in the Greenfields last year, even though he wasn't fighting fit he was endlessly more interesting than any other politician I have attended any sort of session with in my life. a testament to him that everybody has something respectful to say about his passing, and something that comes from a real place. 88 is a good innings, especially with so much to show for it.

[Buff124]

One of nature's gentlemen, and a role model for anyone thinking of entering politics.

[Alcatraz]

One of the greatest things I've seen at Glastonbury was in 2009 when I went to Tony's talk at the Speakers tent in the Greenfields, and the elderly naturist who roams the fields (apologies, wish I knew her name!) standing up to ask Tony a question. He never missed a beat.

While his critics loved to brand him a hypocrite, his rejection of his background made him stand out as a true man of conviction for me

[Guest]

Just watched the tribute to him on BBC 2. Sad to see 'Dame' Shirley Williams and Roy Hattersley sticking the knife in. Neither of them are fit to lick his boots. Both of them are traitors to the Labour movement IMO

[CrispyRed]

Just watched the tribute to him on BBC 2. Sad to see 'Dame' Shirley Williams and Roy Hattersley sticking the knife in. Neither of them are fit to lick his boots. Both of them are traitors to the Labour movement IMO

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

Just watched the tribute to him on BBC 2. Sad to see 'Dame' Shirley Williams and Roy Hattersley sticking the knife in. Neither of them are fit to lick his boots. Both of them are traitors to the Labour movement IMO

[Winslow Leach]

[davidd]

100%. Williams said some bullshit on channel 4 last night about him not being able to see the real world, and about him being an old figure stuck in a modern world or something similar.[/quote

Saw it myself, fucking revolting to be honest. She has no integrity at all and passes judgement on Tony Benn ?

[Peaceman]

I was very fortunate in that I met him many times when I worked at CND. I also had the pleasure of introducing him at Glastonbury a few times for the Get Up Stand Up shows at Leftfield and, later, Blazing Saddle stage. It was interesting to see that many of the bands and performers that played for us all wanted to have their photo taken with him. Younger bands like Futureheads and Paddingtons as well, not just the older guys. And he always appeared deaf when smoking his pipe inside a tent backstage!

I didnt always agree with him 100%, how many people would you?, but as well as being an inspirational speaker, he was genuine, honest and cared about people. And that's not a bad way to be remembered.

[CrispyRed]

Be consoled by the fact that when she or Hattersly pass away there will not be any of the same tributes being paid to them. Who could honestly say they were inspirational figures!!

[davidd]

Be consoled by the fact that when she or Hattersly pass away there will not be any of the same tributes being paid to them. Who could honestly say they were inspirational figures!!