The veteran Labour politician Tony Benn became President of the Oxford Union in 1947, just three years before he succeeded Sir Stafford Cripps to become MP for Bristol South East -the start of his 50 year Parliamentary career. He last spoke at the Union one year ago... The
Rt Hon Tony Benn 1925-2014

Tony Benn gives his address to the Oxford Union Society.
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Tony Benn begins by outlining that the theme of his talk will be on the question of how does the current generation of graduates succeed in overcoming the problems they face in the world today; mass unemployment, growth of nuclear weapons and a global economy dominated by banks and global corporations.

He speaks of how there was mass unemployment in the 1930's however during times of war there is full employments as budgets do not come into account but rather the need to get things done. He says that was the secret of the 1945 election that they would apply the same determination to meet the needs of peace that you did to meet the needs of war.

He goes on to say you have to work very hard to get anything done and uses the example of campaigning for votes for women to illustrate this point. His experience of progress is starting with a good idea like votes for women then they ignore you, they attack you, they imprison you and then you win and in the aftermath you won't find anyone at the top who doesn't say that they thought of it first.
He follows on by saying that if we approach the problems of the future in that spirit then we will succeed. The world in its current state needs a radical change in thinking and its up to new generations to think it out for themselves and have courage to push forward with their ideas.
Filmed on Thursday 7th February 2013

ABOUT TONY BENN:
Rt Hon Tony Benn was a Member of Parliament for 50 years, and a Cabinet Minister under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan. He served as Minister of Technology, Secretary of State for Energy, Secretary of State for Industry as well as Chairman of the Labour Party.
Benn has topped several polls as the 'most popular politician in Britain'; he has been described as 'one of the few UK politicians to have become more left-wing after holding ministerial office'.
He is currently President of the Stop the War Coalition.

ABOUT THE OXFORD UNION SOCIETY:
The Union is the world's most prestigious debating society, with an unparalleled reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford. It has been established for 189 years, aiming to promote debate and discussion not just in Oxford University, but across the globe.

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