There is a theme running
on “Facebook” today, (Saturday 15th March 2014 and started by
Isobel Waby, a “Facebook” friend), under the general heading of
“My memories of Tony Benn”.
I would like to add my personal
memory to that theme.
Anthony
Neil Wedgwood "Tony" Benn, PC 3 April 1925 – 14
March 2014, (formerly 2nd Viscount
Stansgate).
 |
| Tony Benn |
In
the late 1970's and 1980's, I was Chair of the Basingstoke CLP.
During one of the election campaigns of that period, Tony was invited
to speak at a public meeting in
support of the party in the constituency.
On
the nominated day, he
duly arrived accompanied by Michael Meacher MP and we proceeded to
the meeting. Tony always enjoyed speaking directly to the people,
either standing on a box at some demonstration or as in this case a
public hall. This day was no exception and the large hall was full
almost to capacity with people standing at the rear, together with a
good representation of local and national press.
We
mounted the stage, and I indicated
the appropriate seats for the speakers. As Tony went to sit, he had
inadvertently moved his chair further away than expected,
and missing the seat by some distance, ended up sitting on the floor,
which prompted some some slight laughter from the audience and
embarrassment from others, (including myself), as he picked himself
up and assumed his seat at the table. After completing my
introductions, Tony rose to commence his speech. He spoke for
some time, without notes, but
using just headings on some
index cards
and recording
the whole speech on a small portable tape recorder which he had
placed on the table. In a conversation afterwards, he told me that it
was a technique that he always used at public meeting, thereby
retaining, for future use, a complete record of what he had said.
(From
that day onwards, it was a practice that I always employed when
speaking in public or in the Council Chamber).
On
returning to work a few days later, it was noticeable that a number
of work colleagues who could not be described as Labour party
supporters, remained critical of Tony Benn and his political views.
When asked if they had been at the meeting, or even knew what he had
actually said, the response was that they did not have to be at the
meeting as they had read it in the paper. Sadly, an all too familiar
mind set. The fact that the majority of the press and media reports
were mainly concerned with
Tony Benn missing his seat, rather than the content of his speech
seemed lost on many people.
I
shall always remember that day and be thankful that I had the
privilege to meet and spend some time in conversation with a man who,
I consider to be one of the greatest minds and intellects in British
politics.
A
man in fact, who was the greatest Leader of the Labour party and
Prime Minister that this country never had.
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