Braintree: Former minister Tony Benn to share stories of 50 years in politics (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Braintree: Former minister Tony Benn to share stories of 50 years in politics

10:30am Thursday 10th January 2013 in News

As an MP for 50 years, a former Government minister and the first man to successfully renounce a peerage, few people have more of an insight into the political world than Tony Benn.

Now aged 87, he famously quipped in 2001 that he was quitting the House of Commons, where he was first elected in 1950, in order to “spend more time on politics”.

And indeed, Tony has shown few signs of slowing down - among his other interests he has served as president of the Stop the War Coalition for the past 12 years.

In an age where many politicians are treated with a certain amount of suspicion, Tony is somewhat of a rarity in terms of his lasting popularity, even amongst those who do not support the Labour party.

In 2007, a poll of viewers of the TV show the Daily Politics chose Tony as the UK’s ‘political hero’.

He will be appearing at Braintree Arts Theatre on Friday evening, where audiences will get the chance to hear his straight-talking and honest views on all things political.

He said: "I think people are fed up with sound-bites, spin, sensation and scandal from politicians.

“What people really want is a chance to discuss issues that affect all our lives and to have that discussion in a sensible, uninterrupted and civilised manner."

“I get quite excited by the opportunity to bring politics back to the people…which is probably not a good thing for a man of my age!"

An Evening with Tony Benn comes to Braintree Arts Theatre, in Notley Road, tomorrow at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £15 for adults and £12 for concessions. Call 01376 556354 or visit braintreeartstheatre.com

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