Britain has lost an outstanding statesman rather than a politician in Tony Benn (88). He was outspoken and a strong anti-war activist who led his campaign against Tony Blair’s illegal invasion of Iraq. The current Labour leader, Ed Miliband, has said that Britain has lost “an iconic figure of our time.” Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone has said that he has never seen Tony Benn lose his temper or get angry at any time on any matter. Tony Benn served as an elected MP for 50 long years.
He was first elected as an MP at the age of 25. He also served in four ministerial roles. He is hailed by everyone for one great thing he did in his life i.e. he changed the Constitution of the House of Lords. This is what Tony Benn had to say about the British House of Lords, “I am not a reluctant peer but a persistent commoner.” This great personality, who was fondly admired by a large number of people all over the world, has been saying lately, “I have had a full life, and I have enjoyed it very much. I have learned a great deal and feel indebted to all the people who have worked so hard. I am not frightened of death. I don’t know why, but I just feel that at a certain moment your switch is switched off and that’s it… and you can’t do anything about it.” This anti-war activist never failed to mention in his campaigns that, “all war represents a failure of diplomacy.” We have lost an iconic figure in Tony Benn who was a fearless fighter for the powerless. — S.H. Moulana, Riyadh
Tony Benn: A fearless fighter
