And as "true socialist" has pointed out without actually realising it, he was a good politician.

He knew the responsibilities of office and made pragmatic decisions where he may have had philosophical doubts when applying his ideology.

Principles inform decisions. They don't strangle your ability to make decisions in the interest of all stakeholders.

I smile when I read of someone saying a socialist politician should ignore the rich whilst decrying Tories for helping them. Benn was guided, not enslaved. If he were, he wouldn't have agreed to spending the '70s holding ministerial office. He knew that election rhetoric and governing for all represents a dilemma. He had the intelligence to realise that.

Which is why he retired to "spend more time in politics."