National Treasure

Went to King's Theatre , Southsea not long ago to see Tony Benn in an 'Audience with...'

Really enjoyable stuff and totally enthralling.  The man talks so much sense and yet one wonders why people in government don't take up his views more often.  First half of evening was more successful as it was a 'organised and probably scripted' interview. The second half  was where he had to answer questions from the audience.  This went a little flat as the success depended on the questions and most were long winded and dull.

There are several things that stand out from the evening for me though. 
1) His involvement in ending pirate radio (which must have affected John Peel)
2) His belief that our ailing economy could be helped by not wasting money on Trident after all 'No Nuclear weapons have been used in the recent or distant past'
3) His belief that 'his' generation made dreadful mistakes i.e. Two world wars
4) Sign posts and weather cock analogy for politicians.  Principled, sticking to their beliefs and those who change their beliefs depending on public mood, how they are advised or what is popular and the time in terms of current thinking.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/6004384/Tony-Benn-making-mistakes-is-part-of-life.html

Link above to an interview eludes to more of the evenings discussions.  Soph was pleased as she went and met him at the interval book signing session.

Good stuff.