In memory of Anthony Neil Wedgwood “Tony” Benn – British Labour politician who was a Member of Parliament for 50 years. Tony passed away in 2014.
From The Independent– 10 of his most memorable quotes :
1. On the welfare state
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If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people.
2. On the status quo
When you get to No 10, you’ve climbed there on a little ladder called ‘the status quo’. And when you are there, the status quo looks very good.
3. On Marx
It is wholly wrong to blame Marx for what was done in his name, as it is to blame Jesus for what was done in his.
4. On homosexuality
When you think of the number of men in the world who hate each other, why, when two men love each other, does the church split?
5. On war
All war represents a failure of diplomacy.
6. On retiring
Normally, people give up parliament because they want to do more business or spend more time with family. My wife said ‘why don’t you say you’re giving up to devote more time to politics?’. And it is what I have done.
7. On democracy
If one meets a powerful person ask them five questions: ‘What power have you got? Where did you get it from? In whose interests do you exercise it? To whom are you accountable? And how can we get rid of you?’ If you cannot get rid of the people who govern you, you do not live in a democratic system.
8. On Labour
The Labour party has never been a socialist party, although there have always been socialists in it – a bit like Christians in the Church of England.
9. On politics
This idea that politics is all about charisma and spin is rubbish. It is trust that matters.
10. On progress
It’s the same each time with progress. First they ignore you, then they say you’re mad, then dangerous, then there’s a pause and then you can’t find anyone who disagrees with you.
