National Union of Journalists pays tribute to long-standing member Tony Benn following his death
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has paid tribute to former MP and NUJ member Tony Benn following the announcement of his death.
Picture courtesy of Jason Harris
Benn, who died at his home aged 88, joined the union in 1950 when he was working for the BBC, and went on to become a strong supporter throughout his political career by supporting journalists in dispute and joining picket lines.
NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: “Tony’s commitment to journalism and his support for broader trade union principles brought him the respect and admiration of members across the NUJ.
“He was a great parliamentarian, an inspiring speaker and a champion for trade union values. He was a long-term member, member of honour and a stalwart supporter of the NUJ. He was a person of great charm and unfailing courtesy. He will be much missed.”
In 2001, Benn officially opened the NUJ’s current Headland House headquarters in King’s Cross. He was a speaker at NUJ events and a supporter of the George Viner Memorial Fund, an NUJ charity supporting the training of young black and Asian journalism students.
John McDonnell MP, secretary of the NUJ parliamentary group, added: “Tony Benn was the articulate advocate of socialism who inspired my generation and gave us all hope of a fair and equal society. He will be remembered for his principled commitment to his socialist beliefs and his principled stand on so many issues. His passing adds to a terribly sad week for the Left, coming so soon after the loss of Bob Crow.”
Benn entered parliament for the Labour party in 1950 aged just 25 and served as an MP for more than 50 years. He was a prolific writer and published nine diaries detailing political life in Britain. Floods of tributes have been paid to the towering figure of British leftwing politics. Current Labour leader Ed Miliband described him as an “incredibly kind man”.