Veteran politician has died aged eighty-eight
Tributes were being paid today ( March 14) to veteran Labour politician Tony Benn by local party members and supporters.
A minute's silence will be held at Sunday night's 'Stand Up For Labour' fundraising event in Chiswick in memory of the former Cabinet minister who has died, aged 88.
The Labour Party candidate for the next general election, Ruth Cadbury said: "I was one of so many drawn into politics by Tony Benn, inspired by his passion and conviction.
"He was a formidable advocate for the Labour Party he believed in but he was also a good listener and never lost his interest in new ideas. He will be missed greatly, though his legacy lives on through his incredible diaries".
She added;"One of his best quotes should be ingrained on the heart of every elected politician: “What power have you got? Where did you get if from? In whose interests do you use it? To whom are you accountable? How do we get rid of you?' ”
The Leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Jagdish Sharma saidL "Firstly I would like to send my condolences to Tony Benn's family at this sad time.
"Tony Benn was a kind, caring man who was passionate about politics and helping to make a better Britain. He was a true political giant and will be sorely missed by many."
Tony Benn had been a patient in Charing Cross Hospital for some weeks and was released last week.
He had been scheduled to take part in a Labour fundraising event in Chiswick last March but was too unwell. His place as speaker was taken by his son, Hilary Benn, who lives in Chiswick.
Labour Party candidate for the Turnham Green ward in the local elections, Crispin Flintoff, said Mr. Benn was a family friend and he had met him many times.
"He would speak from his heart. This is something that irritated some people in the Labour Party. But I think this made him more loveable to many Labour supporters and the general public at large."
Mr Benn entered parliament in November 1950 and served in the cabinet under Harold Wilson and Jim Callaghan.
He stepped down from parliament in 2001, but remained a significant and much respected figure in the Labour movement and as President of the Stop the War Coalition.
March 16, 2014