40 years ago now, as a history undergrad, I sat opposite Tony Benn on a train from Paddington to Bristol. I had some of my books and notes spread on the table in front of me. He asked me what I was studying, and our conversation started right there! I have never forgotten it. He was wonderful company, an expert talker, and an interested listener. He gave me some pointers for an essay on The Levellers which I was writing! His enthusiasm and interest in so many things has stayed with me. I think Tony Benn was a great man. I am proud that I met him on that train journey that day.
My father was a lifelong, dyed in the wool, working class Tory. He always held Tony Benn in the highest regard despite them being pretty much polar opposites.
Thank you for sharing this Sebastian. I always loved your Dad's programme which was always fascinating and deeply insightful. This is a very special treat and wonderful tribute to one of the few truly great politicians of my lifetime. A rare political beast who was always fiercely honest and courageous and a real conviction politician. Only pygmies and tineservers left now. RIP to both Tony's who have both enriched the world they lived in.
Thank you for sharing this with the world Sebastian. I was an avid listener of your dad's programme and I am honoured to have the opportunity to offer my condolences personally. An original and interesting way to interview people.
I wrote to Tony Benn for many years we marched together. Britain doesn't have MPs like him anymore. Just look at what we have these days absolutely shambolic.
His intellect and wisdom put vast majority of today's politicians to shame. Why is Westminster now full of so many average and below-average MPs and ministers, in comparison??
For me, quite simply the most powerful piece of radio I ever heard. Wisdom, integrity, wit and warmth, from both men. Good to listen to it again here. A bottomless source of inspiration to anyone who seeks to live a good life.
A wonderful piece. Thank you for sharing with the youtube community. A truly brilliant mind and a most humane person. We need him more than ever in these dark times but at least we have his legacy to call upon.
Thank you so much for posting this Sebastian. Of all your dad's interviews on this show, this was my favourite. Tony Benn was an enormous personal encouragement to me. He was a great Giver of courage. Grateful to your late dad for having Tony Benn on and interviewing him in this way. Great content!
Benn a good chap: Clare a good interviewer. Together, an interesting programme. I am NOT a supporter of the BBC by any means, but this series belongs to the best end of the corporation's endeavours.
I always had time for Tony Tony such a intelligent scholar Amazing child life And having respect parents I now fully understand Influence from his parents Made him a great Outspoken speaker Thanks Street wise tal....... Am a working class Came from hardship Tony had a privilege lifetime And experience a working class All because of his parents Teachings Unfortunately we don't have these scholar anymore today
Just about the last of the great men politicians in the UK, men of principle and their particular ethics. Kier Starmer or Rishi Sunak are weasels in comparison.
40 years ago now, as a history undergrad, I sat opposite Tony Benn on a train from Paddington to Bristol. I had some of my books and notes spread on the table in front of me. He asked me what I was studying, and our conversation started right there! I have never forgotten it. He was wonderful company, an expert talker, and an interested listener. He gave me some pointers for an essay on The Levellers which I was writing! His enthusiasm and interest in so many things has stayed with me. I think Tony Benn was a great man. I am proud that I met him on that train journey that day.
My father was a lifelong, dyed in the wool, working class Tory. He always held Tony Benn in the highest regard despite them being pretty much polar opposites.
Two great Tonys in conversation... So proud that my dear departed dad once interviewed a true great of the Socialist movement. RIP, both men.
I loved Tony Benn, RIP him and your father. I have a book of his here, depression and how to survive it with Spike Milligan.
That's a very nice tribute. Thank you Sebastian.
Thank you for sharing this Sebastian. I always loved your Dad's programme which was always fascinating and deeply insightful. This is a very special treat and wonderful tribute to one of the few truly great politicians of my lifetime. A rare political beast who was always fiercely honest and courageous and a real conviction politician. Only pygmies and tineservers left now. RIP to both Tony's who have both enriched the world they lived in.
Thank you for sharing this with the world Sebastian. I was an avid listener of your dad's programme and I am honoured to have the opportunity to offer my condolences personally. An original and interesting way to interview people.
I remember seeing your dad on TV when I was a kid and he was just wonderful.
I wrote to Tony Benn for many years we marched together. Britain doesn't have MPs like him anymore. Just look at what we have these days absolutely shambolic.
His intellect and wisdom put vast majority of today's politicians to shame. Why is Westminster now full of so many average and below-average MPs and ministers, in comparison??
Democracy coming to full effect.
The Trivium of grammar, logic and rhetoric was removed from the education system.
For me, quite simply the most powerful piece of radio I ever heard. Wisdom, integrity, wit and warmth, from both men. Good to listen to it again here. A bottomless source of inspiration to anyone who seeks to live a good life.
Good comment. Kind words.
thank you,
I love listening to Tony Benn. A very insightful and profoundly intelligent man.
A wonderful piece. Thank you for sharing with the youtube community.
A truly brilliant mind and a most humane person. We need him more than ever in these dark times but at least we have his legacy to call upon.
RIP Tony. You were a wonderful Orator
one of the best
This is informative and great! Discussion of Congregationalist and its transcendental natures.
Thank you so much for posting this Sebastian. Of all your dad's interviews on this show, this was my favourite. Tony Benn was an enormous personal encouragement to me. He was a great Giver of courage. Grateful to your late dad for having Tony Benn on and interviewing him in this way. Great content!
Agreed - two great Tony's, much missed. Many thanks for this.
A great man in Tony Benn
You made me see justice in a unjust world.Will miss you each passing day :( ...RIP
The man with the golden tongue and ocean like thoughts.
Benn a good chap: Clare a good interviewer. Together, an interesting programme. I am NOT a supporter of the BBC by any means, but this series belongs to the best end of the corporation's endeavours.
Great post
thank you🥰
I really enjoy listening to this channel - just found it so I'm very happy
Thank you
A man ahead of his time.
I always had time for Tony
Tony such a intelligent scholar
Amazing child life
And having respect parents
I now fully understand
Influence from his parents
Made him a great Outspoken speaker
Thanks
Street wise tal.......
Am a working class
Came from hardship
Tony had a privilege lifetime
And experience a working class
All because of his parents
Teachings
Unfortunately we don't have these scholar anymore today
A meeting of two great Tonys
Thanks so much for posting this video. Love it.
My time 1950/60
We had the best
Tony would have been a great Pm for England
My opinion
Had time for people
Had time for history
A scholar ❤
Thanks for putting this up
Seemed to me that Prof Clare was his usual courteous and professional self and Wedgie was very much at ease. I
if there was more mp like Tony Benn there would be no more war voice in the wilderness genius
Apart from the pipe he was straight edge! I get buzzes from things oter than drink and drugs too.
I don't suppose you have the Savile one?
Ah interesting. There's a good book of these interviews too.
A confronting man but having met him on a train to Pisa I thought he was very respectful
A left wing politician of definite views. The first I can't support, the second I would defend to the last. Where can it be found today?
What day is this programme usually on, please?
A little late, but: Anthony Clare died in 2007, so the programme - to which he was obviously indispensable - is no more.
Just about the last of the great men politicians in the UK, men of principle and their particular ethics. Kier Starmer or Rishi Sunak are weasels in comparison.
left 10 million in his will not for the will of the people
Marx studied the world and reviled it
Ratchford should stick to football or geyt his hand in his pocket
The interviewer was very bad at engaging the guest in a cordial and fluent manner making the entire interview awkward and uneventful.
and your very bad at analysing interviewers!