British Labour politician, formerly the leading figure on the party's left wing. He was minister of technology 196670 and secretary of state for industry 197475, but his campaign against entry to the European Community (EC; now the European Union) led to his transfer to the Department of Energy 197579. A skilled parliamentary orator, he twice unsuccessfully contested the Labour Party leadership. Benn stood down in May 2001 as an MP after 50 years in Parliament, but remained politically active.
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