Never mind Margaret Thatcher – let’s demand Tony Benn Day!
Immortalised: The late Tony Benn with a statue of himself that stands at Bristol City Council’s headquarters. He represented Bristol South East in Parliament for 30 years.
Would you support a plan to rename the August Bank Holiday ‘Tony Benn Day’, in honour of the great socialist who passed away last week?
It’s probably the last thing he would have wanted, but Mr Benn is far more deserving of the honour than some – Conservatives wanted a ‘Margaret Thatcher Day’ after the death of their iconic former Prime Minister but the idea was dropped after only 13 per cent of the public said they would support it.
Supporters of ‘Thatcher Day’ said she had been a great force for the UK.
Against that, let’s set these words of Michael Meacher MP, on Mr Benn: “Through his passion for democracy, transparency and accountability, he wanted to build up the people’s confidence, not crush them.
“Above all he was the architect of the Grand Design, the big picture politics that should inspire every generation to renew and refresh, and his example and his leadership will continue to inspire this and future generations to do just that.”
Do you agree? If you do, just share this article on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or wherever you fancy. If the numbers suggest it’s a good idea, then a government e-petition might be warranted.
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Reblogged this on seachranaidhe1.
Absolutely. Where do I sign and contribute?
Just share the article around to give other people the opportunity to do the same! If we hit a certain number of shares, I’ll announce the next stage in a future article.
I don’t know whether he would have liked the idea of Tony Benn Day. How about Democracy Day instead? (Only for those people who have bothered to vote. That should stimulate a bit of debate!)
The idea is more to show that a day for Tony Benn would be more popular than one for Mrs Thatcher – showing that Tories are more out of touch than this old-school socialist.
Like you’ve said, it may be the last thing he wanted, but it’s a nice idea.
Shared to my Facebook page and think that it would be a fitting tribute
it is indeed a fitting tribute to fine man who was only one of a few who understood politics and fairness and we will never see his likes ever again sad to say
Reblogged this on Beastrabban’s Weblog and commented:
This is going to be a massively controversial idea, if it gets mass support, and so much the better if it is. Democracy needs to be reinvigorated, and this seems to be an excellent way of promoting a genuine, public discussion and debate about the values Benn held dear – democracy, Socialism and the empowerment of ordinary working men and women. Oh yes, and really, really annoying Fleet Street. Thatcher stood only for the rich and powerful against the poor. Benn stood for much, much more, and for the values he represented is far more deserving of a holiday in his honour.
Reblogged this on DaveD's Blog.
Reblogged this on stewilko's Blog and commented:
Too right, and it would be well deserved. A gentleman who was a credit to politics. A man who sought and fought for democracy within any country. A man who stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa and so on.
Let the discussions begin – I’m all for it!
Awesome idea! My own feelings…