So, pumping vast sums of taxpayers money into the white elephant known as Concorde, built in his constituency, is evidence of his principles. All polititicians are cast from the same mold.

Stiil, a long carreer and he made politics attractive to a lot of young people.

Recognising British imperialism and opposing is not the same as supporting the ira. Tony Benn was a true voice for civil rights and opposition to capitalist and imperialist exploration of ordinary people. A voice for the oppressed and was never seduced by power take head labour

Criticising the British army while saying nothing about the IRA can be construed as support for them. Galloway is another such person, he will criticise every western action around the globe but will never say anything negative about any left wing terrorist groups.

If people think violence is wrong then they need to make sure that included ALL violence and not just some.

Jamesyboy – my golly , you have it very bad a chara – you really need to show some love , compassion and forgiveness .

You must move foreword , like the majority, on our beautiful Island of Ireland .

We are after all, a great people here – read the wonderful words of Mandela on hate and forgiveness !

It will change your whole life’s perspective a chara !

I tought British troops came first to take Ireland for their own but sure whatever version of history your in to I suppose

Rachel im speaking on what ive seen in my own lifetime. People like Tony Benn and George Galloway always criticised the British military but not the terrorist groups they were fighting against. There would have been no British troops here if it wasnt for a renewed IRA campaign in 1970. The IRA wanted them out but didnt stop to realise that by shooting at them they were only keeping them here longer, 38 years to be exact. Longer than any operation in the entire history of British military. Theres no way they could have left in the 70′s anyway given the mess that unfolded here, it had to be straightened out first before the security measure were removed.

Move foreword?

Are we writing a book or something.

I think you meant to say move forward.

I am moving forward, I just dont support a united Ireland. Im born and bred a unionist and I’ll die a unionist.

Is there anything else I can do for you in the meantime?

Jamesy – it was a terrible beating that the British Army took in the Six Counties for 38 years – but it’s over now and they are virtually gone – never to return and The UDR are gone and the dreaded RUC and their awful Special Branch .
But as I said , don’t be bitter – Britain have lost lots of wars – got hammered by the Americans 240 years ago and lost all of The British Empire – but there were some good ones amongst them like Tony Benn .

Jamesy – a chara , you have a very bad dose – not contagious anymore I might add – but very dangerous , if not treated in time !
As far as I can figure , with my lifetimes experience – you are suffering from a very bad dose of Unionist Prejudice – watch out for some deep orange spots that come to the surface of the skin !
As an antidote – read the words of – Mandela , Benn and Bill Clinton ?
George Mitchell is another antidote to you prejudices – but it is a curable problem – so don’t worry about it too much , a Chara dhilis .

The British army took that big a beating here they stayed for 38 years and still have 5000 troops based in barracks here, MI5 set up a massive headquarters here also. Meanwhile the IRA gave up all its weapons, agreed to a permanent ceasefire and agreed to the principle of consent (the first time republicans ever agreed to it) without gaining one inch of territory.

Wheres the republican victory here, I must have missed it.

Bill clinton lol the man that bombed Iraq, some peacemaker there alright. Americas interests here stretch no further than their ongoing relationship with the UK, if NI was in the middle east they wouldnt give two fcuks about it. Go read up about the conversations that took place in America during the GFA negotiations pre 1998, certain Americans were hinting they couldnt have British troops or defence budgets tied up any longer in NI because something bigger was coming. We now know that something else to be the so called war on terror.

I would not look up to members of the American administrations as very reliable folk, they certainly arent peacemakers and will only use situations to their own advantage.

Jamesy Boy – god bless your innocence – but George Bus h was USA President when Iraq was bombed ????
Back to school – A Chara Dhilis !

Clinton bomber Iraq in 1998, he also bombed Afganistan, Yugoslavia and Sudan.

Some peacemaker.

PS its you that needs to go back to school. At least grab a history book and read it.

Yeah, maybe stop thinking and talking like it’s 1640?

It is said Mr Rooney, that if ignorance is bliss, tis folly to be wise.
I won’t spoil your blissful existence.

And what has your pathetic contribution to this very relevant discussion got to do with anything.

Tom is stupid.

Did I offend the liberal leftist brigade by highlighting the irrelevance of this article? This man played no substantial role in any part of the civil rights movement in Ireland, paying lip service doesn’t count. This article does give an insight into the liberal leftist bias that now exists in the media and the comments section highlights the over representation of labour/leftists/socialists on the Journal.

Tom – you so obviously were not around then , or indeed a part of it to have that knowledge .
I can assure you , as someone who was and who does have the knowledge , that Tony always played his part – in or outside of The House of Commons in The Civil Rights struggle in Ireland and in Britain and beyond too .