Tony Benn - will he be there?

[Pete G]

Is Tony Benn coming to glasto this year?

I missed him in 2007 but heard he was excellent.

Has anyone seen him before??

PG

[glastonbury2008]

Yes he is doing poetry and words tent,

he was amazing when i saw him

[glasto_freak]

what sort of stuff does he do? I think he's a great man, but what does his talk consist of. Is it still all solidarity and stuff, or am i missing the point?

[Greenish]

what sort of stuff does he do? I think he's a great man, but what does his talk consist of. Is it still all solidarity and stuff, or am i missing the point?

[flibbitybob]

I am SO there. Missed him last year, will NOT miss him again.

[glasto_freak]

don't you worry, i'm not missing him for anything

[grumpyhack]

I heard he was due to have some surgery this summer which means he won't be playing Trowbridge in July though hopefully he'll still be able to do Glasto.

[Peaceman]

He's speaking in the Green Fields on Saturday afternoon and then, straight after, at the 'Get Up Stand Up' show on Blazing Saddle stage in Theatre & Circus.

[scudetto_boy]

I've saw him a few times over the years. He'll probably be on the stage a couple of times again this year, a truly great speaker with an abundance of politcal knowledge, a real must if you like current affairs!!

[Joshuwarr]

He is a socialist God.

Can't wait

[Alcatraz]

He is a socialist God.

Can't wait

[marktea]

i've seen him

talk about bananas (fair trade)

talk about workers rights

rapping, accompanied by a guitarist

it's hard to explain, he's a mesmerising and enchanting speaker, go see him if you get the chance!

[Pete G]

Rapping?? Are you sure??

[Pete G]

Are there any other political/commentators lecturing/performing at Glasto worth going to see/

[Alcatraz]

Are there any other political/commentators lecturing/performing at Glasto worth going to see/

[beamends]

He is a socialist God.

Can't wait

[Rachie]

ooo will deffinatly be seeing him

[mozzy]

Isn't he just - gave up the title but kept the money and house. A true socialist ;-)

[septemberwillow]

Fortunately he retains his dignity and does not refer to women as hos and bitches when he is freestyling.

[Detective McNulty]

When i seen this thread title i thought, 'must be another Tony Benn, but wouldn't THAT be a cool thing to see', so i am pleased to read that it is the real deal.

[Pete G]

Isn't he just - gave up the title but kept the money and house. A true socialist ;-)

[beamends]

Its easy to to play devils advocate in his credentials as "pure" socialist. He is without a doubt principled in his Old Labour beliefs and behaviours and during his time as an MP was considered left-wing of the Labour Party.

I like this quote from him about (New) Labour

"I think in 1997 any Labour leader would've won the election because the people wanted a change but what made 1997 different was that the British establishment didn't want a change, they wanted Mrs. Thatcher's policies to be continued and Blair gave an assurance that he would, in economic terms, follow her lead. He said, New Labour is a new political party and when Mrs. Thatcher was asked her greatest achievement, she said "New Labour". Therefore, the Labour victories in 97 [...] Blair victories have not really been Labour victories, they've been victories for a party that based so much of its polices on the Thatcher inheritance. And that's why I'm not a member of New Labour."

Edited May 15, 2009 by beamends

[jenw]

Seems to have disappeared from the rumours. Anyone know anything about this?

[Alcatraz]

Seems to have disappeared from the rumours. Anyone know anything about this?

[Laura_Babs]

Yes he is doing poetry and words tent,

he was amazing when i saw him