ON THIS DAY: Tony Benn dies, aged 88

It is two years to the day since former Chesterfield MP, Tony Benn, died.
Tony BennTony Benn
Tony Benn

The veteran Labour politician represented the town at Westminster for 17 years from 1984 to 2001.

At the time of his death, aged 88, he had been in and out of hospital for some weeks.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The news led to hundreds of tributes from political friends and foes alike.

Councillor Anne Western, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “Tony was a hugely influential and popular politician, the likes of whom we’ll never see again.

“He was a conviction politician and lived by his values, which inspired trust and belief in those who voted for him, who he served faithfully.”

And Prime Minister, David Cameron, said: “Tony was a magnificent writer, speaker and campaigner. There was never a dull moment listening to him, even if you disagreed with him.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Before serving the people of Chesterfield, he was MP for Bristol South East for 30 years from 1950 to 1983.

During this time he renounced the peerage he inherited from his father so he could continue to represent the constituency in Parliament.

His son, Hilary Benn, is also a Labour MP and currently serves in the shadow cabinet as Shadow Foreign Secretary.