Tony Benn is a renowned figure in British politics, with a family legacy of public service that spans over a century. Born into a long line of Members of Parliament, he himself served in the House of Commons for an impressive fifty years, earning the distinction of being the longest-serving Labour MP in the party's history.
Despite interruptions in his parliamentary career, Benn's dedication to public service remained unwavering. He lost his seat in Bristol in 1983, only to regain it in 1984 as the representative of Chesterfield. Furthermore, he was briefly excluded from the House of Commons in the 1960s after his father's death, during which time he became Viscount Stansgate.
However, Benn's desire to renounce his peerage and return to the House of Commons drove him to campaign tirelessly for the right to do so. His efforts ultimately led to the passage of the Peerage Act in 1963, which allowed him to renounce his title and reclaim his seat in the subsequent by-election.
Throughout his illustrious career, Benn held various cabinet positions in the Labour governments of 1964-1969 and 1974. He was also an elected member of the National Executive Committee of the Labour party from 1959 to 1994, serving as Chairman of the Party in 1971-1972.
Benn's remarkable life has been chronicled in his published diaries, which span the period from 1942 to 1990, as well as in the subsequent volume "Free at Last" covering the years 1990-2002. In addition to his diaries, he has written seven other books, numerous pamphlets, and has been involved in various audio and video projects.
Throughout his life, Benn has received seven honorary doctorates from British and American universities, and has been appointed as a Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics. He has also maintained a regular broadcasting presence and has been a vocal advocate for various causes.
In his personal life, Benn was married to author and educationalist Caroline Benn, with whom he had four children, including the current minister Hilary Benn, and ten grandchildren.
