An Audience With Tony Benn

[Charlotte]

Political Legend to visit Redbridge

Sonia Klein, PPC Ilford North, Labour, hosts an audience with Tony Benn, veteran of Parliament and former Labour MP.

On Friday, 5th March, 7.30pm – 9.30pm, Sonia Klein, PPC Labour for Ilford North will host ‘An Audience with Tony Benn,’ at the Redbridge Institute.

Friday’s free, public event will give the local community of Redbridge an opportunity to take part in a discussion with Tony Benn, the current President of Stop the War Coalition. Ilford residents will be able to take part in a frank and lively debate with the former politician, addressing a number of important local and national issues.

Sonia Klein, PPC for Ilford North, said:

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to host an evening with Tony Benn; he is a true political icon and a national treasure. It is important to get the local community involved in grass roots politics and I hope that by hearing Tony speak the local residents of Ilford will become inspired to have their say.”

Tony Benn, said:

“This is going to be a very friendly and interesting open meeting. Sonia and I will make our case and then it will be over to the audience to make it their meeting, addressing local needs and initiatives. Sonia has worked very hard to understand the needs of those she hopes to represent and this meeting will provide a great forum to do so.”



The meeting is free and all are welcome to join, it will be held on Friday, 5th March, doors open at 7pm at the Redbridge Institute of Adult Education, Gaysham Avenue, Gants Hill, Ilford, IG2 6TD. To rsvp go to: http://tonybenn.eventbrite.com or contact Heather: heather@soniaklein.com, 020 8590 8552.

[Scribbles]

I've booked my ticket!

I recall going to hear Tony Benn speak in Ilford Town Hall back in 1974. I was then a newcomer to Ilford and it was one of the first public events I went to in the town. It was an excellent evening. Whatever your political standpoint, Tony Benn is full of commonsense, wit and down-home wisdom and this is sure to be an enjoyable event.

[Weggis]

Me too!
Fancy a beer afterwards?

[Scribbles]

I could be purr-suaded!

[Weggis]

Purr-fick!
King George V?
Or does violence put you off?

[knowsie]

Me too!
Fancy a beer afterwards?

Is this a private party, or can we all join in ...?

... anyway, back to the plot ...

Ah yes! The Right Honourable Anthony Wedgewood-Benn, MP, PC. - I remember when he was The Postmaster General!

I also remember going to see to see him at Ilford Town Hall in 1974. Of course, the extremely left-wing Labour Party of the time had decided that they should be a bit more down-to-earth by that time, so Wedgie-Benn had been recently rebranded/downgraded to a much more 'matey' Tony Benn.

Strange that his 'leader' never became Harry Wilson? (Perhaps 'Arold was thought to be enough of a sop to the masses?)

In 1974, the unions, with the support of The Labour Party, had largely succeeded in their aims of exporting our car manufacturing and ship building industries to Europe and the Far East and cripple what remaining industrial strength we had left by disrupting the power and transport infrastructure - particularly rail and shipping.

Not surprising then, that The Right Honourable Anthony Wedgewood-Benn, MP, PC. was drafted in to Ilford, where both Ilford North and Ilford South had Tory MPs until the February election, to help drum up support.

Surprisingly, the Town Hall was less than half full, with rows and rows of empty seats. The party stalwarts sat at the front and we sat in splendid isolation, somewhere in the middle!

I wonder if he'll get a better attendance this time? I'll be there to find out!

Back in '74, he wasn't the only 'important' Labour person to visit the borough. We got turned away from the other meeting - it was packed out well before 'the off''.

Who was it? Shirley Williams, who came to tell those who got into the meeting (Barkingside Library IIRC) why Grammar Schools are such a bad thing ...

[Scribbles]

Purr-fick!
King George V?
Or does violence put you off?

I'll try anywhere once! If the chairs and glasses start flying ..... I'm outta there. Friday night is mayhem night (sigh....)

[Weggis]

Is this a private party, or can we all join in ...?

Not sure what you are suggesting there Knowsie but if you want a beer you're welcome.

[Weggis]

If the chairs and glasses start flying ..... I'm outta there.

I may be able to arrange an "escort" home!

[Scribbles]

I may be able to arrange an "escort" home!

That's very kind, Weggis but I'm sure I'll cope - we cats are good at finding our way in the dark! Unless, of course, Knowsie brings his nice old bus along and gives us all a ride home. Ding Ding!