Tony Benn

Date of Birth: April 3, 1925

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: March 14, 2014

Biography

Anthony Neil Wedgwood Benn, commonly known as Tony Benn, was a prominent British politician who served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for over 50 years. Born into a political family, Benn was deeply involved in the political landscape of the United Kingdom, championing left-wing causes and becoming a significant figure in the Labour Party. He was known for his eloquence, integrity, and unwavering commitment to socialism. Benn served in various ministerial roles, including Postmaster General and Secretary of State for Industry, and was a key figure in the debates over Britain’s membership in the European Economic Community. After leaving Parliament, he continued to be an influential voice in British politics, advocating for peace, social justice, and democratic reforms until his death in 2014.

5 Interesting Facts about Tony Benn

1. Tony Benn was once the longest-serving Labour MP in the history of the party.

2. He renounced his inherited title, Viscount Stansgate, to remain in the House of Commons, leading to the Peerage Act 1963.

3. Benn was an avid diarist, publishing several volumes that provide an in-depth look at British politics over several decades.

4. He was a vocal critic of the Gulf War and the Iraq War, advocating for peaceful resolutions.

5. Tony Benn was known for his “Five Essential Questions of Democracy,” which he believed every citizen should ask of those in power.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Tony Benn

1. “We are not just here to manage capitalism but to change society and to define its finer values.”

2. “All war represents a failure of diplomacy.”

3. “Hope is the fuel of progress and fear is the prison in which you put yourself.”

4. “If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people.”

5. “The way a government treats refugees is very instructive because it shows you how they would treat the rest of us if they thought they could get away with it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Tony Benn’s highest net worth was estimated to be around £5 million.

Children

Tony Benn had four children with his wife, Caroline DeCamp Benn: Stephen Benn, Hilary Benn, Melissa Benn, and Joshua Benn. Hilary Benn followed in his father’s footsteps and became a prominent Labour politician, serving as an MP and holding various ministerial roles.