The Most Dangerous Man in Britain?: The Political Writing

by Tony Benn, Melissa Benn (introduction)

This centenary anthology of Tony Benn's speeches, writings and interviews is a timely reminder of his political potency and the urgency of his agenda across a wide set of the consequences of empire, the need to embrace industrial change, reform of the state machine and the management of politics.

Called the 'most dangerous man in Britain' by the Daily Mail, Tony Benn, Labour MP for over fifty years, was the most distinguished socialist politician of his era. Holding several significant cabinet posts in the 1960s and '70s, he competed for the Labour Party deputy leadership in 1981 and party leadership in 1988. Throughout his career he put forward a series of arguments on constitutional reform, the economy and foreign affairs - popular and influential policy positions which became known as 'Bennism' and set the template for the democratic socialism of the 2010s. A charismatic orator, a life-long campaigner for peace, and a charming disruptor of the mainstream consensus, Benn reached national treasure status in his retirement, his firebrand politics too often overlooked.

The introduction to this collection, written by his daughter, the writer Melissa Benn, offers a more personal portrait of the man, showing how his politics informed all parts of his life. The book also includes a previously unpublished interview with Tony Benn conducted towards the end of his life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

304 pages, Hardcover

Published June 10, 2025

About the author

Anthony 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.

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're unfamiliar with Tony Benn, this book is a solid 5-star read. A great introduction into his work and British politics itself.

However, as someone who based my entire dissertation on his work, I found it lacking in new insights. Reading his speeches simply doesn't capture the full impact; watching them is far more engaging, as you can truly appreciate his eloquence and intensity. That said, the final chapter, where he converses with his daughter, is a standout moment and definitely adds value to the book.

It pains me to the core giving Tony Benn such low rating, but I just feel like this book was so unnecessary. Read his diaries, his letters to his grandkids, listen to speeches!

[Jonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this, I was familiar with Benn only in passing, as the political inspiration for my political inspiration, Jeremy Corbyn. I was also familiar with some of Benn's most famous anti-war speeches, some of which are repeated in this anthology and are very powerful.

There are aspects of the book that are politically outdated (left wing critiques of Brussels in a post-Brexit era etc.), but most of his views were significantly ahead of his time, and he is rightly considered a titan of the British left.

The section on industry was driest, and foreign policy perhaps the most interesting. It was also refreshing to see such strong arguments for Christian socialism/leftism. There is a strange notion in the UK that there is an incompatibility between the two, totally ignoring liberation theology of South America and the Irish labour movement (Connolly, Starry Plough, Rerum novarum etc.) Thankfully, Pope Francis did much to reinforce the Socialist-Catholic connection in people's minds, but once again, Benn 'gets it' where others do not.

[Bailey Finch-Robson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to the views and writings of Tony Benn on a wide range of topics. For someone who knew little of Benn beyond vague reputation and a couple of great speeches, this was really eye opening and I have come, over the course of the book, to admire him immensely.