Tony Benn: A Biography

For half a century, Tony Benn was Britain’s leading radical, defying the leadership of the Labour Party and staking out the moral high ground. His principled stands and spellbinding oratory commanded the respect of friends and foes alike. Benn was a strident voice for peace in a troubled world, notably as a key figure of opposition to the invasion of Iraq. His influence stretched even beyond the grave, with the 2016 Brexit referendum owing everything to Benn’s promotion of referendums as part of his concept of popular democracy. This comprehensively revised edition of Jad Adams’s classic biography, updated with a new introduction to mark the centenary of Benn’s birth, was written with unparalleled access to his private records. Chronicling the behind-the-scenes story of this remarkable man’s rise and fall, and his triumphant return as the conscience of the nation, this acclaimed biography explores Benn’s continuing legacy in 21st-century Britain.