Book description
In this, the fourth volume of Tony Benn's diaries, the Labour
Government continues its fight for survival. Important developments
are occurring both at home and internationally. In Britain, Benn as
Secretary of State for Energy is directly involved with Windscale and
decisions about nuclear power and oil policy. Abroad, the Government
is concerned with Carter's reappraisal of American foreign policy, the
overthrow of the Shah of Iran and problems of EEC membership.
In the Labour party itself, new forces of radicalism and reform are
emerging, resulting in changes in Labour's policies and the ultimate
formation of the SDP.
Labour's unsuccessful economic policy and the widening rift with the
labour movement lead to the Winter of Discontent and a near state of
emergency. With Labour voters defecting, the scene is set for the
Thatcher years.
Tony Benn, who first entered Parliament in 1950, has been Labour
MP for Chesterfield since March 1984. He was elected to the National
Executive Committee of the Labour Party in 1959, and was the Chairman
of the Party in 1971-2. He has been a Cabinet Minister in every Labour
Government since 1964, holding the position of Postmaster General,
Minister of Technology and Minister of Power. From 1974-9 he was
secretary of State for Energy and one-time President of the Council of
Energy Ministers of the European Community. He contested the
leadership of the Labour party in 1976 and in 1988.
He is the author of eleven books, including Arguments for
Socialism, Arguments for Democracy. The previous volumes of
Diaries, Out of the Wilderness, Office Without Power and
Against the Tide, have all been published to great critical
acclaim. He holds four Honorary Doctorates from British and American
Universities. He is married to Caroline, and they have four children
and six grandchildren.
