Rest in Peace Tony Benn

[malaise]

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2014/mar/14/tony-benn-has-died-reaction-and-tributes
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And here is Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA rail union, on Tony Benn.

Tony Benn was a true socialist and a firm friend and defender of the trade unions and working people everywhere. He fought his cause with eloquence and commitment throughout his long life.

Above all, he believed that politics should always be guided by a moral compass and should give a voice and hope to those who needed it most. He will be sadly missed by all his friends in the Labour movement.

10.00am GMT

This is from Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty.

In the final decade of an extraordinary political life, Tony Benn was a great friend of Liberty and human rights.

He spoke to packed audiences up and down the country against internment and identity cards and for values of internationalism and humanity. And he often shared the stage with speakers of different political stripes with considerable generosity.

I shall never forget his many kindnesses to me, including when he ripped up a prepared speech he was about to deliver, in order to make my own nervous and novice remarks sound slightly less unplanned. In an age of spin, he was solid, a signpost and not a weather-vane.


http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/mar/14/tony-benn-dies-aged-88-labour-politiican
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He became known for his campaign against the invasion of Iraq, addressing the UK's biggest ever demonstration during the Stop the War rally of 2003.

Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, said: "The death of Tony Benn represents the loss of an iconic figure of our age. He will be remembered as a champion of the powerless, a great parliamentarian and a conviction politician.

"Tony Benn spoke his mind and spoke up for his values. Whether you agreed with him or disagreed with him, everyone knew where he stood and what he stood for.

"For someone of such strong views, often at odds with his party, he won respect from across the political spectrum.

"This was because of his unshakeable beliefs and his abiding determination that power and the powerful should be held to account."

[sibelian]

1. "a signpost and not a weather-vane"

Yes. THAT was tony.

As opposed to Ed Laser Panda.