A decade after his death, Tony Benn is as relevant as ever
Yes, I met him: Vox Political’s Mike Sivier (right) with the late, great Tony Benn.
March 14, 2024, marked 10 years since the passing of that great left-wing politician, Tony Benn – and he remains as relevant now as he was during his lifetime.
Listen to this passionate speech opposing Tony Blair’s war in Iraq:
Tony Benn, 10 years gone.
What we would give to have him back. pic.twitter.com/YfanL0L7FW
— Richard Leonard (@LabourRichard) March 14, 2024
“Aren’t Arabs terrified? Don’t Arab women weep when their children die?” These are questions that could be asked of the Palestinians in Gaza today.
“Doesn’t bombing strengthen their determination?” Think about that, and what Israel’s incessant bombing of Gaza is doing to the resolve of every innocent, non-combatant citizen of that enclave.
“Consequences for people who have no part to play in the brutality of the regime which we are dealing with.” The brutal regime could be Hamas, and its brutality on October 7 last year – with consequences for all the people of Gaza who had nothing to do with it.
In the current instance, though, it could also apply to the Israeli government that is committing genocide on our TV screens every day.
Here’s another nugget of his wisdom – five questions that we should be asking constantly, about the people with power over us:
Tony Benn🌹🕊 and the 5 essential questions of democracy:
1️⃣ What power have you got?
2️⃣ Where did you get It from?
3️⃣ In whose interests do you exercise it?
4️⃣ To whom are you accountable?
5️⃣ How can we get rid of you? pic.twitter.com/SInFr2WHHW— Supporting Humanity (@SocialistAnyDay) March 14, 2024
Finally, there are his words on the two kinds of politician:
'In politics there are weathercocks and signposts. Weathercocks spin in whatever direction the wind of public opinion may blow them. Signposts stand true, and tall, and principled. Signposts are the only people worth remembering in politics.'
Tony Benn died 10 years ago today. pic.twitter.com/us2JJF0NJb
— Taj Ali (@Taj_Ali1) March 14, 2024
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Tony Benn was a signpost – he pointed the way for others to follow.
Look at the people we have at the top of our political parties now. Any way the wind blows, the lot of them – with only one or two exceptions who are in neither the Labour or Conservative parties.
Will we ever have representatives of his calibre again? Or will we just keep voting for the Tories or the Labour Party that Keir Starmer has made a pale imitation of the Tories?
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