Socialist icon debates invasion (From Oxford Mail)

Socialist icon debates invasion

8:26pm Wednesday 14th May 2008 in

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Veteran socialist politician Tony Benn was in Oxford tonight to take part in a debate about the controversial Iraq war.

The former MP for Chesterfield, 83, who in February, 2004 was elected the first President of the Stop the War Coalition, appeared at the Town Hall together with other anti-war protesters.

The event was organised by the London-based group Action for UN Renewal.

It involved a debate on the subject Five years of war in Iraq: What role can the United Nations play in building peace and security.

Hundreds of people turned out to hear the debate by one of politics' most enduring figures.

Mr Benn studied at Oxford's New College, where he read philosophy, politics and economics. He was also elected president of the Oxford Union and is a regular visitor to the city.

Mr Benn was joined in the debate by John Tanner, whose last day as Lord Mayor of Oxford is tomorrow.