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The Benn Diaries, 1940-1990
The Benn Diaries, embracing the years 1940-1990, are already established as a uniquely authoritative, fascinating and readable record of political life. The selected highlights that form this single-volume edition include the most notable events, arguments and personal reflections throughout Benn's long and remarkable career as a leading politician.
The narrative starts with Benn as a schoolboy and takes the reader through his youthful wartime experiences as a trainee pilot, his nervous excitement as a new MP during Clement Atlee's premiership and the tribulations of Labour in the 1950s, when the Conservatives were in firm control. It ends with the Tories again in power, but on the eve of Margaret Thatcher's fall, while Tony Benn is on a mission to Baghdad before the impending Gulf War.
Over the span of fifty years, the public and private turmoil in British and world politics is recorded as Benn himself moves from wartime service to become the baby of the House, Cabinet Minister, and finally the Commons' most senior Labour Member.
The narrative starts with Benn as a schoolboy and takes the reader through his youthful wartime experiences as a trainee pilot, his nervous excitement as a new MP during Clement Atlee's premiership and the tribulations of Labour in the 1950s, when the Conservatives were in firm control. It ends with the Tories again in power, but on the eve of Margaret Thatcher's fall, while Tony Benn is on a mission to Baghdad before the impending Gulf War.
Over the span of fifty years, the public and private turmoil in British and world politics is recorded as Benn himself moves from wartime service to become the baby of the House, Cabinet Minister, and finally the Commons' most senior Labour Member.
720 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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About the author
Tony Benn
101 books74 followersAnthony Neil Wedgwood "Tony" Benn, PC, formerly 2nd Viscount Stansgate, was a British Labour Party politician. He served as a Member of Parliament from 1951 until 2001, and was a Cabinet Minister under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan in the 1960s and 1970s. After his retirement from the House of Commons, he continued his activism and served as president of the Stop the War Coalition.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 22, 2008
That's more like it. Real Labour rather than New Labour. What must Tony (who once tried to talk me into becoming a politician) and Ralph Milliband think of their respective sons?
April 21, 2014
Tony Benn, the irrepressible Labour Party Cabinet minister, MP and anti-war leader, died last month (March 2014) at 88. This sad event pushed me to read this one volume version of his famous diary, covering 40 years as an MP at the heart of British and European politics.
The diary is a remarkable achievement on many levels. Such a longterm perspective provides striking insights into the personalities and philosophies of core Labour Party leaders such as Harold Wilson, Jim Callaghan, Michael Foot and Barbara Castle. The changing focus of cabinet foreign concerns over the years also reveals the gradual reorientation of the UK to the European Community.
The greatest insights, though, are into Benn's own evolution as a political leader. By some halfway through the volume Benn notes how undefined and middle-of-the-road his thinking had been when he was first a minister in the 1964-70 Wilson government. It was only later that he became more strengthened in socialist views, especially through his fights for more public ownership as Minister of Industry in 1974-76 and his increased ties with shop floor militants fighting to save various facilities. One of the most fascinating points that emerges: Benn has never read any Marx until his wife gives him The Communist Manifesto as a Christmas present in 1976 when he is 51! Benn becomes a left wing leader based on the fierceness of his democratic instincts, it becomes clear, and on the strong emotional ties that he builds with those under assault in Britain such as the miners.
As a former MP myself in Canada's counterpart to the Labour Party, Benn's description of life on the left in Parliament recalled so much for me. Battles within the party are so common, with opponents often taking such strong views; it takes a wise and thoughtful leader to work effectively in such a context. Links between trade unions and the parliamentary party often break down. Meanwhile different events and crises just keep flying at you with bewildering speed and you have to shift to react. And, of course, there is always an unpredictable often careless media there to misinterpret your actions.
Tony Benn was often a target of that media in the UK. He wore his heart on his sleeve too often for the cynics. He was often emotional rather than tactically shrewd. But over the years his integrity shone, he fought battles that matter and he stayed true. This diary is a fine reminder of the caring and compassion with which he lived.
The diary is a remarkable achievement on many levels. Such a longterm perspective provides striking insights into the personalities and philosophies of core Labour Party leaders such as Harold Wilson, Jim Callaghan, Michael Foot and Barbara Castle. The changing focus of cabinet foreign concerns over the years also reveals the gradual reorientation of the UK to the European Community.
The greatest insights, though, are into Benn's own evolution as a political leader. By some halfway through the volume Benn notes how undefined and middle-of-the-road his thinking had been when he was first a minister in the 1964-70 Wilson government. It was only later that he became more strengthened in socialist views, especially through his fights for more public ownership as Minister of Industry in 1974-76 and his increased ties with shop floor militants fighting to save various facilities. One of the most fascinating points that emerges: Benn has never read any Marx until his wife gives him The Communist Manifesto as a Christmas present in 1976 when he is 51! Benn becomes a left wing leader based on the fierceness of his democratic instincts, it becomes clear, and on the strong emotional ties that he builds with those under assault in Britain such as the miners.
As a former MP myself in Canada's counterpart to the Labour Party, Benn's description of life on the left in Parliament recalled so much for me. Battles within the party are so common, with opponents often taking such strong views; it takes a wise and thoughtful leader to work effectively in such a context. Links between trade unions and the parliamentary party often break down. Meanwhile different events and crises just keep flying at you with bewildering speed and you have to shift to react. And, of course, there is always an unpredictable often careless media there to misinterpret your actions.
Tony Benn was often a target of that media in the UK. He wore his heart on his sleeve too often for the cynics. He was often emotional rather than tactically shrewd. But over the years his integrity shone, he fought battles that matter and he stayed true. This diary is a fine reminder of the caring and compassion with which he lived.
July 10, 2020
Brilliant. A little insight into a world long forgotten.
My favourite anecdote here, from Jan. 1970:
"In the evening Caroline, Stephen and I went to Peter Townsend’s party. Peter teaches at Essex and I was surrounded by three of his young sociology students who just called me a Fascist and called me it so often I got rather angry. A dull German professor linked me with a lot of other Fascists and when I said to him, ‘Could you give me the names of any world politicians who disagree with you but are not Fascists?’, he said, ‘That is a Fascist’s sort of question.’"
My favourite anecdote here, from Jan. 1970:
"In the evening Caroline, Stephen and I went to Peter Townsend’s party. Peter teaches at Essex and I was surrounded by three of his young sociology students who just called me a Fascist and called me it so often I got rather angry. A dull German professor linked me with a lot of other Fascists and when I said to him, ‘Could you give me the names of any world politicians who disagree with you but are not Fascists?’, he said, ‘That is a Fascist’s sort of question.’"
March 4, 2020
A lot more candid than I was anticipating but totally well worth the view.
December 25, 2023
A principled, decent man though not someone I always agreed with politically. Wise in some aspects (his analysis of Britain’s post-Empire role), naive in others (regarding Chairman Mao as the greatest leader of the 20th century). He has a genuine desire to support the working class and it’s interesting that even in the Wilson and Callaghan governments he is thwarted in his aims. His account of the defeatism of the Callaghan government is fascinating as is his prediction of the rise of Thatcher and how the 1980’s will develop. I certainly came away from this agreeing with Benn that there’s certain things and policies that will never be allowed in the U.K. due to the secret state behind the state.
February 6, 2019
A Most Interesting Book
This book, literally, from the author's mouth, is very enlightening. It gives a clear indication of what goes on behind the scenes in Government. We all know that politics is a dirty business but I have never appreciated quite how -cutthroat it is. If you want to know just what goes on behind the scenes, read this book.
This book, literally, from the author's mouth, is very enlightening. It gives a clear indication of what goes on behind the scenes in Government. We all know that politics is a dirty business but I have never appreciated quite how -cutthroat it is. If you want to know just what goes on behind the scenes, read this book.
February 4, 2019
Loved it, my kind of read.
August 5, 2019
A testament to the great man, and someone who had a moral integrity distinctly lacking in most of the modern politicians. Someone who was subjected to unwarranted abuse throughout his political career, and yet who never veered away from a commitment to helping those less fortunate. This book is at times a little dry, as is to be expected with a day-to-day diary as not every day is interesting, even for high ranking MPs, however Benn's humour, passion and dedication to his cause oozes from every page. A man who was always on the right side of history and who will be admired by future generations to a far greater extent than any post-Attlee Prime Minister.
March 2, 2021
Fascinating and unique documentation of the rise of the neoliberals within Labour and the UK empowered by the media assault on reality.
Light is shone into such memory holes as the 1970's, the class struggle, economics and just how shite pretending to be left wing neoliberal is in terms of winning elections.
If you let media choose the leader they choose the policy and you are lost.
Highly instructive for those in Labour today.
Light is shone into such memory holes as the 1970's, the class struggle, economics and just how shite pretending to be left wing neoliberal is in terms of winning elections.
If you let media choose the leader they choose the policy and you are lost.
Highly instructive for those in Labour today.
October 19, 2024
Edited highlights from Tony Benn’s diaries. Not a book that I would recommend but an interesting read for anyone that is particularly left-leaning in their politics. It does throw up some very prophetic lines from a very insightful man, even if he did find Nicolae Ceaușescu to be ‘modest mannered, very penetrating in his ability’ and likeable!
April 10, 2021
My earliest political hero, fascinating diaries full of forthright opinions and colourful portraits of his contemporaries, most of whom were familiar to me from newspapers and TV when I was growing up.
November 10, 2025
A very readable book about British politics from the inside by a notorious leftwinger.Enjoyable insight on a bygone age.He seemed a likeable man but not too sure how his ideas would have worked in practice.
July 20, 2020
Always entertaining, insightful and anti EU.
February 12, 2021
Essential reading for anyone interested in politics of the UK in the second half of the 20th Century.
September 17, 2023
Too much on lords reform. However vital to his future political work. You can see he was forming his views for himself. Onto the next one!
March 14, 2024
Great book, incredible to read words and thoughts of one the titans of British politics. Would be great to still have people like him in the commons.
Read
June 28, 2024Interesting evolution of his thinking is covered in this long collection. He had some surprising friends though
March 19, 2012
I finished this book, but was irritated both with Tony Benn and what he didn't achieve. Many will admire him for sticking to his principles, I just felt that he achieved very little in what he actually believed in. I also feel that he didn't actually engage with many of the people he took it on himself to represent, even when they didn't want him to. He comes across to me as self absorbed and a true politico, I.e. one who loves the game, and sticks by his guns. But for all the many causes he aligned himself with, very few actually succeeded. An absorbing book, but if he had spent more time on working for change than recording his very important part in political life, he might have actually been something rather than a large footnote in post war political life.
February 15, 2011
Tony Benn's diaries 1940-90 has been my "bathroom book" for quite a while, not sure I could have read it continualy, but bit by bit has been fascinating. It is very much politician's diary with many national and indeed international events getting barely a mention, while some cabinent meetings or party conferences being covered in detail.
I've enjoyed Tony Benn's company in my bathroom over the past few months but I shall a break before reading his next book of diaries, and invite Matthew Parris, one time Tory MP and parliamentry sketch writer to join me in the "smallest room".
I've enjoyed Tony Benn's company in my bathroom over the past few months but I shall a break before reading his next book of diaries, and invite Matthew Parris, one time Tory MP and parliamentry sketch writer to join me in the "smallest room".
Read
July 27, 2011Found the diaries to be pretty dry, not salacious and exciting like the Alan Clark diaries - he was the real life Alan B'stard. Nevertheless, Benn reveals the machinations of inner government in and out of power, he must be admired as a man of principle who always stood up for the working man and stood by his words and beliefs.
March 31, 2014
A life recorded
Not as good as the individual diaries, but a good read. A review of the major part of Tony Benn's life. I didn't like Benn or what I presumed was his politics. In later years I have appreciated his writings and recognize that his views were misrepresented in the press. This book gives you. an idea of how he arrived at his positions.
Not as good as the individual diaries, but a good read. A review of the major part of Tony Benn's life. I didn't like Benn or what I presumed was his politics. In later years I have appreciated his writings and recognize that his views were misrepresented in the press. This book gives you. an idea of how he arrived at his positions.
March 4, 2008
Although I suspect vainglory as a motive for publishing ones diaries; I have to say that old Wedgie certainly can write. Hugely enjoyable read for those with a bit of familiarity with the post-war British political scene (and even those without it).
December 7, 2013
This is the first of the Benn diaries that I have read. On its strength, I will endeavour to read reminiscences of his early life and the later (unabridged) diaries. His style is easy enough to read to suggest that the unabridged diaries will be enjoyable.
May 3, 2016
Disappointed when I realised I'd bought an abridged version. For the rest, it got better and better as I got closer to the times I remembered well. Topically, it was interesting to read what Jeremy Corbyn (and Dennis Skinner) were doing in the Eighties. Both then as principled as they are now.
September 28, 2014
Great insight from one of Britain's great Socialist MPs
January 11, 2015
Fascinating insight into post war politics and the man himself.
May 27, 2016
I thought it was a great insight to the machinations of political parties in and out of Government. Also the divides still there today within the Labour party and Jeremy Corbyn gets a mention.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews