I've seen so many failures based on the idea 'Give up everything you believe and you'll win.' You give it up, and you don't win. Then people say 'We didn't give up enough. So we've got to give up even more.' That has been the tragedy of the Labour party since 1974; it hasn't appeared to stand for anything. People are not fools, they see that. So they say 'Better the devil we know.'
Interview for a BBC documentary 'Labour: The Wilderness Years', 1995
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.
Date unknown
Change from below, the formulation of demands from the populace to end unacceptable injustice, supported by direct action, has played a far larger part in shaping British democracy than most constitutional lawyers, political commentators, historians or statesmen have ever cared to admit. Direct action in a democratic society is fundamentally an educational exercise.
New Politics, 1970
To some, Viscount Stansgate, better known as Anthony Wedgwood Benn, even better known as Tony Benn, had many incarnations. was the left-wing bogeyman of late 20th century British politics. To others, he was the unrealised messiah of a socialist paradise. To others still, he was the man who was responsible for a catastrophic split in the Labour party, which led to fears it would never hold office again. And finally, he was good old Uncle Tony, the Grand Old Man of the British left whose one man shows were sell out successes. But no matter what you thought of him, you can't deny there won't be another like him.
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