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Tony Benn Diaries #7
Free at Last! Diaries, 1991-2001
Tony Benn is the longest serving MP in the history of the Labour Party. He left Parliament in 2001, after more than half a century in the House of Commons, to devote more time to politics. This volume of his Diaries describes and comments, in a refreshing and honest way, upon the events of a momentous decade including two world wars, a change of government in Britain and the emergence of New Labour, of which he makes clear he is not a member. Tony Benn's account is a well documented, formidable and principled critique of the New Labour Project, full of drama, opinion, humour, anecdotes and sparkling pen-portraits of politicians on both sides of the political divide. But his narrative is also broader and more revealing about day-to-day political life, covering many aspects normally disregarded by historians and lobby correspondents, relating to his work in the constituency, including his advice surgeries. This volume also offers far more of an insight into Tony Benn's personal life, his thoughts about the future and his relationship with his family, especially his remarkable wife Caroline, whose illness and death overshadow these years. Tony Benn is a unique figure on the British political landscape: a true democrat, a passionate socialist and diarist without equal. With this volume, his published Diaries cover British politics for over sixty years.
768 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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200 people want to read
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 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 9, 2015
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March 10, 2013Excellent stuff - especially impressed by how Benn is happy to include the things he was wrong about (the almost daily "I think the New Labour project is over and coming to an end" from virtually the moment Blair is elected is amusing); and the personal story about the death of Caroline, and how that shaped and dovetailed with his decision to stand down from Parliament is gently and movingly told. There's also an eye-widening piece of gossip about the Queen, and a surprising friendship with John Major. SPOILERS: The New Labour project outlasts the diary.
February 26, 2013
I read this book a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Tony Benn writes honestly and he gives an interesting perspective of events. I was surprised by some of his views, e.g., his liking for Blair. I feel that Tony Benn has been the victim of the Red Top press who have dismissed him as "Looney left" which is unfair and unjust. He's a man of principles and conviction which sadly very few MPs have today.
January 16, 2013
Tony Benn has been my bathroom buddy since October 2011. While I haven't always agreed with his politics I feel his heart is in the right place, a man of great integrity, he has worked hard for his fellow man. These diaries take us from 1991 t0 2001 when he left Parliament after fifty years as an MP.
He has been an amiable companion in the house's smallest room.
He has been an amiable companion in the house's smallest room.
November 22, 2012
An interesting and very readable book. It's a shame there are not more politicians of his calibre. He had courage and moral backbone and was able to think independantly, a sign of true intelligence.
December 23, 2007
The last of the generation of heroes. We will miss him
April 17, 2018
This book follows Tony Benn's last 10 years as an elected politician, where he has pretty much accepted he is going to be an elder statesman in the party (albeit of the more left-wing variety), rather acting as a front bench (or potential front bench) spokesman.
Benn, along with Alan Clark of the Conservative Party are the 20th Century's pre-eminent political diarists, and you can see why when you read this book. He's honest about how he feels about thing's and the meetings he has (as an example he predicted "New-Labour" wouldn't last as long as it did), and I was surprised to find out he was somewhat disappointed by pushing his extreme left wing credentials as hard as he did.
Overall it's a good book, it's just that because Benn is on his way out of the Labour Party's elected wing in this book, I'm not sure that this would be the best place to start with Benn. His observations about the rightward drift of the party were interesting, just he's not as near to the centre any more, so we get... less insight into the inner core of the party, and the right vs. left battles that are going on.
Benn, along with Alan Clark of the Conservative Party are the 20th Century's pre-eminent political diarists, and you can see why when you read this book. He's honest about how he feels about thing's and the meetings he has (as an example he predicted "New-Labour" wouldn't last as long as it did), and I was surprised to find out he was somewhat disappointed by pushing his extreme left wing credentials as hard as he did.
Overall it's a good book, it's just that because Benn is on his way out of the Labour Party's elected wing in this book, I'm not sure that this would be the best place to start with Benn. His observations about the rightward drift of the party were interesting, just he's not as near to the centre any more, so we get... less insight into the inner core of the party, and the right vs. left battles that are going on.
September 4, 2014
Tony Benn was a remarkable man by anyone's measure. His level of political and historical understanding was outstanding, and only matched by his motivation to improve the world for those least valued. To read this (and other editions of his diaries) you feel like he is speaking directly to you in his soft public schooled tone.
He speaks candidly, passionately and thoughtfully to the reader via his tape recordings. Benn makes many mistakes in his predictions, but in equal measure provides wise counsel and warnings for British politics during the 1990s and beyond. He seems to have the knack of being able to speak to anyone on whatever level is required and engaging them debate, see the King of Jordan or miners in his constituency of Chesterfield for details.
There are plenty of laugh out loud moments when encounters with people and very often technology, result in outcomes he never intended (be very careful as to when you sip your cup of tea, for fear of projecting it at high velocity through your nose).
His account of family life is a touching insight and the tribulations of his wife Caroline's illness and passing are truly moving.
Whatever you political leanings might be, I challenge anyone not to be charmed by one of the gentlemen of our time.
He speaks candidly, passionately and thoughtfully to the reader via his tape recordings. Benn makes many mistakes in his predictions, but in equal measure provides wise counsel and warnings for British politics during the 1990s and beyond. He seems to have the knack of being able to speak to anyone on whatever level is required and engaging them debate, see the King of Jordan or miners in his constituency of Chesterfield for details.
There are plenty of laugh out loud moments when encounters with people and very often technology, result in outcomes he never intended (be very careful as to when you sip your cup of tea, for fear of projecting it at high velocity through your nose).
His account of family life is a touching insight and the tribulations of his wife Caroline's illness and passing are truly moving.
Whatever you political leanings might be, I challenge anyone not to be charmed by one of the gentlemen of our time.
April 24, 2016
Tony Benn's diaries are essential reading for anyone interested in recent-ish British politics. Sometimes very funny with some good one-liners, and sometimes very accurate in his predictions.This volume covers his last 10 years in parliament, is pretty spot on about New Labour ("the project"), the stage management of politics, &c., and some of it is clearer now in retrospect than it was at the time. Sadness here too as he comes to the end of 50 years in parliament (with a short break), and the terminal illness and death of his wife Caroline.
July 27, 2015
An absolutely riveting read for me, I just couldn't put it down and often re read parts of it from time to time.
This book has humour, sadness, is insightful to the undemocratic workings of parliament, but above all, it is a fascinating read about a man who truly cares for his party and constituents. A man of integrity, truthful, honest and totally incorruptible. I wish he was still with us.
This book has humour, sadness, is insightful to the undemocratic workings of parliament, but above all, it is a fascinating read about a man who truly cares for his party and constituents. A man of integrity, truthful, honest and totally incorruptible. I wish he was still with us.
December 22, 2014
This is not a page turner but, for all that, it is an interesting insight into the political goings on in Westminster. It is written in a very flowing way but I am disappointed that politicians pussy foot around each other instead of following their beliefs in order to remain friendly with those who oppose their views!
November 8, 2016
Loved this book. Didn't want it to end. Mix of personal memoirs, political history, fascinating insight into the Labour Party as it was driven to the Right by Kinnock and Blair. Tony Benn a real gentleman, kind, soft hearted, driven and with a clear sighted incisive view into the world of politics
April 26, 2013
Fascinating.
March 21, 2014
An interesting, albeit brief, listen.
I was moved to tears as he described his love for his wife and how he felt about her death
I was moved to tears as he described his love for his wife and how he felt about her death
April 18, 2020
I normally wouldn’t read a collection of personal diaries from a politician (because let’s face it, they are a bit boring) but I have a small personal connection to Tony Benn. And yes, it’s yet another Notting Hill Waterstones story. But hey, it’s the ONLY interesting thing I have ever done in my life, let’s face facts.
Anyway, he lived a very short walk from the store and came in quite a bit, as you would imagine. He would order a bunch of things that a high street book chain wouldn’t stock, as you probably also would imagine. A lot of things that were out of print, much to his annoyance, but a lot of lefty radical shit. Plus, he’d take away the main political non-fiction as well. And he became quite the regular so I would often just have him ring up, I’d run his card and then bring them round to him on the way home.
Sometimes he’d invite me in for a cup of tea and ask about my life, but for the most part he’d have me put them in a safe place (his little coal shed), as it was later in his life and even though he was getting on and quite deaf, he was still out and about and quite active. Kicking shit up probably.
In this penultimate volume of his diaries, FREE AT LAST, Benn has got to an age where he is wrestling with the overall point of his ethos and level of activism, with the burgeoning rise of New Labour (who he gradually hates more and more as time goes on), much to his consternation and aghast. The transition from old to New Labour and the election of Tony Blair is a constant perturbation, with their shiny new approach and empty promises, as well as being war mongers, of course. He covers the early parliamentary careers of the Miliband brothers and his own son, Hilary, along with other political stars of the future.
On the subject of the past clashing with the future, there is an obvious ostracization over time from gradually more people in the House of Commons, due to the success of his diary series (I imagine) and how open and gossipy they sometimes are. And there is plenty a morsel to feast upon here, as he goes full barrels on the likes of Neil Kinnock, Gordon Brown and Jack Straw, to name a few. Some entries are quite adorable, quaint and pedestrian though, such as:
21 Apr 91: Day of the census. Fixed the window sash cords.
For all of you who are not sick of hearing about Brexit yet, this book is an intriguing account of the early days of the European project. That being the Union and ratification of the Maastricht Treaty and the governments handling of that at the beginning. He has a very unique spin and front row seat to history and I am sure would be fascinated about where we are now, if he was alive. So this is an eye-opening to read in context with the post-Brexit world we find ourselves in.
He had a great idea about Northern Ireland too (like in the late 90s), in that neither Ireland or Britain get the province and it becomes a completely independent country. Because religion has made it impossible for there to be peace and both sides to co-exist. Something we are still trying to figure out now.
There’s the gradual break up of the former Yugoslavia and Tony’s constant attempts to appease conflict, which mostly falls on deaf ears because of the Anglo-American friendship that was the main catalyst for the deaths of millions of innocent people. Then there are his opinions on the government’s response and unpreparedness for the flu epidemic in the year 2000, which in 2020 Coronavirus lockdown are quite worrying, in hindsight. Not to mention, that we humans don’t ever seem to learn from our mistakes.
There is a tad of the privileged rich man tone throughout though as much as he wants to be a raging Trot, or whatever branch of Liberalism he deems himself to be throughout his life. Because like most (and despite his left wing credentials), his positions, politics and ideas have both changed and matured during his long life.
The devotion to his wife throughout is endearing and heartfelt. Benn is as passionate about his wife as any of his firebrand triggers. He constantly puts her over himself wherever he can and is steadfast and stoic in that awfully British way when it comes to her illness and death. You can feel his sadness and loneliness pour from the pages, as the book comes to a close.
Tony Benn is the greatest leader of the Labour Party that never was. But unfortunately, like close comrade Jeremy Corbyn later proved, could never be Prime Minister. His brand of politics (as passionate as he was) made him woefully unelectable. What he would think of the terrible recent failure of his old friend, one can only imagine too.
Despite the general dismantling of his precious socialist agenda, The Benn Diaries are a vital document of British social history. He was a sweet old man, but a terrific agitator. He was a groundbreaking politician who spent 50 years as an MP, spanning generations and eclipsing many of the icons in his field.
And he made a decent pot of tea. God bless you, Sir.
Anyway, he lived a very short walk from the store and came in quite a bit, as you would imagine. He would order a bunch of things that a high street book chain wouldn’t stock, as you probably also would imagine. A lot of things that were out of print, much to his annoyance, but a lot of lefty radical shit. Plus, he’d take away the main political non-fiction as well. And he became quite the regular so I would often just have him ring up, I’d run his card and then bring them round to him on the way home.
Sometimes he’d invite me in for a cup of tea and ask about my life, but for the most part he’d have me put them in a safe place (his little coal shed), as it was later in his life and even though he was getting on and quite deaf, he was still out and about and quite active. Kicking shit up probably.
In this penultimate volume of his diaries, FREE AT LAST, Benn has got to an age where he is wrestling with the overall point of his ethos and level of activism, with the burgeoning rise of New Labour (who he gradually hates more and more as time goes on), much to his consternation and aghast. The transition from old to New Labour and the election of Tony Blair is a constant perturbation, with their shiny new approach and empty promises, as well as being war mongers, of course. He covers the early parliamentary careers of the Miliband brothers and his own son, Hilary, along with other political stars of the future.
On the subject of the past clashing with the future, there is an obvious ostracization over time from gradually more people in the House of Commons, due to the success of his diary series (I imagine) and how open and gossipy they sometimes are. And there is plenty a morsel to feast upon here, as he goes full barrels on the likes of Neil Kinnock, Gordon Brown and Jack Straw, to name a few. Some entries are quite adorable, quaint and pedestrian though, such as:
21 Apr 91: Day of the census. Fixed the window sash cords.
For all of you who are not sick of hearing about Brexit yet, this book is an intriguing account of the early days of the European project. That being the Union and ratification of the Maastricht Treaty and the governments handling of that at the beginning. He has a very unique spin and front row seat to history and I am sure would be fascinated about where we are now, if he was alive. So this is an eye-opening to read in context with the post-Brexit world we find ourselves in.
He had a great idea about Northern Ireland too (like in the late 90s), in that neither Ireland or Britain get the province and it becomes a completely independent country. Because religion has made it impossible for there to be peace and both sides to co-exist. Something we are still trying to figure out now.
There’s the gradual break up of the former Yugoslavia and Tony’s constant attempts to appease conflict, which mostly falls on deaf ears because of the Anglo-American friendship that was the main catalyst for the deaths of millions of innocent people. Then there are his opinions on the government’s response and unpreparedness for the flu epidemic in the year 2000, which in 2020 Coronavirus lockdown are quite worrying, in hindsight. Not to mention, that we humans don’t ever seem to learn from our mistakes.
There is a tad of the privileged rich man tone throughout though as much as he wants to be a raging Trot, or whatever branch of Liberalism he deems himself to be throughout his life. Because like most (and despite his left wing credentials), his positions, politics and ideas have both changed and matured during his long life.
The devotion to his wife throughout is endearing and heartfelt. Benn is as passionate about his wife as any of his firebrand triggers. He constantly puts her over himself wherever he can and is steadfast and stoic in that awfully British way when it comes to her illness and death. You can feel his sadness and loneliness pour from the pages, as the book comes to a close.
Tony Benn is the greatest leader of the Labour Party that never was. But unfortunately, like close comrade Jeremy Corbyn later proved, could never be Prime Minister. His brand of politics (as passionate as he was) made him woefully unelectable. What he would think of the terrible recent failure of his old friend, one can only imagine too.
Despite the general dismantling of his precious socialist agenda, The Benn Diaries are a vital document of British social history. He was a sweet old man, but a terrific agitator. He was a groundbreaking politician who spent 50 years as an MP, spanning generations and eclipsing many of the icons in his field.
And he made a decent pot of tea. God bless you, Sir.
January 5, 2019
My mother gave me this for Christmas. She
said "It's about your time in politics". So, indeed, it is. And always interesting. Tony Benn was always in a different place from me - I went from soft left to Blairite , and stayed there - and does not always acknowledge when he is wrong, which he almost always is, but, endearingly, catalogues all the time he loses votes, and things do not go as he expects, and the people do not rise up against Blairism. I enjoyed it. Pity he does not give their due to the women he encounters along the way, or even their names, other than someone's wife or daughter, or "a nice woman from", but perhaps I am being churlish. At one point his daughter, when he exclaims over people being nice to him, says "It's class, Dad. They're nice to you because of your class." Good for you, Melissa, for saying it, and good for you, Tony, for keeping it in your book.
said "It's about your time in politics". So, indeed, it is. And always interesting. Tony Benn was always in a different place from me - I went from soft left to Blairite , and stayed there - and does not always acknowledge when he is wrong, which he almost always is, but, endearingly, catalogues all the time he loses votes, and things do not go as he expects, and the people do not rise up against Blairism. I enjoyed it. Pity he does not give their due to the women he encounters along the way, or even their names, other than someone's wife or daughter, or "a nice woman from", but perhaps I am being churlish. At one point his daughter, when he exclaims over people being nice to him, says "It's class, Dad. They're nice to you because of your class." Good for you, Melissa, for saying it, and good for you, Tony, for keeping it in your book.
August 9, 2018
Mr Benn, I do love you. An absolutely fascinating insight into the life and thoughts of a man of principle and integrity, as well as the workings of politics and Parliament. I didn't want it to end...but am comforted by the fact that this is just one of many Tony Benn diaries.
July 23, 2021
What is probably a unique historical document. A fascinating period for me as it is documenting the death of the heart of Labour and the onset of the decline in the party. A road we now seem to have returned to :-(.
Heart warming and amusing by turn - well worth a read.
Heart warming and amusing by turn - well worth a read.
August 12, 2023
He can't write anywhere near as well as Alan Clark.
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