Hundreds of people came to the see the preview of Tony Benn: Will and Testament in Chesterfield. Many of us had known Tony Benn as our MP and campaigned alongside him. It was very emotional to see him standing in his kitchen, smoking the famous pipe and talking directly to us. These were the thoughts and images he wanted us to remember as he faced the end of his life.
Ian Taylor looks at the life and politics of one of the most important and iconic figures of the post-war Labour left
It is difficult to imagine the British labour movement without Tony Benn. All on the left will miss him and the simple arguments he put for socialism. The man once demonised by the press as "the most dangerous in Britain" was declared a "national treasure" at the end. But the abiding animosity towards him shone through some obituaries.
Review of 'Free at Last!', Tony Benn, Hutchinson £25
Tony Benn is equally loyal to socialism and the Labour Party. The latest edition of his diaries, covering the last decade, describes a period when the rightward gallop of Labour brought those two loyalties into greater conflict. The decay of Westminster politics is so great, Benn jokes, leaving parliament leaves him 'free at last' to be involved in politics.
