More Time for Politics, Tony Benn
More Time for Politics, Tony Benn
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More Time for Politics
Diaries 2001-2007

Author: Tony Benn

Narrator: Tony Benn

Abridged: 4 hr 41 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/04/2007


Synopsis

Brought to you by Penguin.

When Tony Benn left Parliament after 51 years he quoted his wife Caroline's remark that now he would have 'more time for politics'. And so this has proved: in the first seven years of this century he has helped reinvigorate national debate through public meetings, mass campaigns and appearances in the media, passionately bringing moral and political issues to wide audiences. And throughout, as ever, he has been keeping his diaries.

Commenting on the demise of the New Labour project from the re-election of Tony Blair in 2001 to the ultimate foreign policy disasters of Afghanistan and Iraq, he gives other prescient accounts of the government's by-passing of Cabinet, parliament and the party, of the 'war on terror', the debate about Islam, globalisation and the changes in British society. Although he is no longer in power or in parliament, Tony Benn remains a figure of enormous respect whose direct views, honestly expressed, have often awakened the national conscience. His latest Diaries, human and challenging in turn, are an enthralling read.

© Tony Benn 2007 (P) Penguin Audio 2007

About Tony Benn

Radical statesman and Member of Parliament for over fifty years, Tony Benn is the pre-eminent diarist of his generation. His political activity continued after 'retirement' through mass meetings, broadcasts and in more recent years through social media. A widower since 2000, Tony Benn died at his home in London on 14th March 2014.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Helen on May 03, 2016

Feeling sad because I've read all the diaries now. In this volume Tony Benn has left parliament (more or less), and is adjusting to life as a widower. He doesn't seem to slow down much despite his advancing years. Honest about his feelings, tactfully avoiding the family differences over politics, al......more

Goodreads review by Mark on April 13, 2013

I really wouldn't count myself as anywhere near the Left these days but Tony Benn will always remain a hero of mine. These extraordinarily well written diaries will remain treasured possessions always.......more

Goodreads review by Maria on January 14, 2023

Really interesting - took me a long time to read but snippets of it have stuck with me.......more

Goodreads review by Philip on November 08, 2023

A fascinating insight into the life and events of a politician with strong principles, not afraid of controversy. On many occasions is clear-sighted, but does have his blind spots.......more

Goodreads review by Dot on August 23, 2015

Having grown up in this period, it was so interesting to read into the political landscape from an adult perspective, and Tony Benn provides ample convivial reasoning and views behind the events, big and small, that occurred at the turn of the century. I can't wait to work my way backwards and devou......more


Quotes

This is a lovely book; warm, humane, genuinely revelatory and, on occasions, a touch surreal Sunday Times

[Benn's] interest in politics has transmuted into an interest in individual human beings. And through all the pain and sorrow, there is a new kind of freedom in his thoughts and in his writing Mail on Sunday

There is something amusing on almost every page of these diaries. Tony Benn loves paradox, and looking at things from a different angle to the one you might expect. He tells us at the start that the old have a great deal to learn from the young, and a delightful air of unreality hangs over his writing. Daily Telegraph

A compelling, often rollicking read Observer

Inspiring and touching Financial Times