When I was seven I got dressed up as a city gent and walked into the Bank of England shouting ' fuck the Pound'. - Tony Benn

The House of Commons represents only one third of the legislative structure, which under our unwritten constitution consists of the 'Queen in Parliament' within which the Crown prerogatives and the real powers of the House of Lords still play a significant part. Only the House of Commons represents the people and it is the only democratic arena in which Labour can win a majority... The fact is that the British constitution, parliamentary system and machinery of government are far from democratic in both theory and practice and they are full of obstacles for those who want to use them to bring about reform by democratic means. The Crown prerogatives, most of which are exercised by ministers, confer immense powers which can, if abused, frustrate the wishes of the electorate... The use of either prerogative power in a controversial manner in Britain would draw the monarchy into the heart of the political debate.

Having served for nearly half a century in the House of Commons, I now want more time to devote to politics and more freedom to do so.

I think democracy is the most revolutionary thing in the world, because if you have power you use it to meet the needs of you and your community.