Michael Eavis pays tribute to the late Tony Benn

The former Labour MP died today (March 14) aged 88

Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis has paid tribute to former Labour MP Tony Benn, who has died at the age of 88.

Benn’s death was announced by his family today (March 14), reports the BBC. A major figure in the Labour party for many years, much-loved Benn was a regular at Glastonbury Festival. He last attended in 2013, when he spoke at the Left Field tent. Click below to see a video of Benn at the festival in 2008.

Paying tribute on the official Glastonbury Festival website, Michael Eavis writes: “Tony Benn achieved legendary status in his own lifetime as he fought to improve the lot of the working class people of this country. As a politician he presented his arguments in such a way that even his opponents couldn’t resist his charm.

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“We were very privileged to have him starring at the Left Field political forum on so many occasions. His absence this year will be really sad.”

Benn described his affection for the Somerset festival last year, telling the BBC’s John Pienaar : “It’s a wonderful event, it almost persuades me that anarchy would be possible because there are no police here yet everybody lives peacefully side by side, but it’s a wonderful collection of people, old and young and of all opinions, and they come to listen to music and then to talk about politics.”

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