Tony Benn is one of Britain's most venerable politicians. With his one-man show coming to Fairfield Halls next week, he talks to PAUL REVEL.

THE longest-serving Labour MP in the party's history, Tony Benn was first elected in 1950, becoming the Baby of the House at the age of 26.

He retired in 2001, he famously said, to devote more time to politics.

I mention to Tony how we hacks hold him in our affections as one of the most eminent members of our National Union of Journalists.

"I joined the union in 1949," he says. "I've been a journalist all my life and I'm very proud of it.

"It was my first job after leaving the air force. I got a job at the BBC as a producer. I was on £9 a week and my rent for a very nice flat in Hammersmith was £115 a year, so I was living the life of Reilly."

I ask him what we can expect when he comes to Fairfield Halls.

He says the informal evenings start off with a short speech, followed by open discussion with the audience.

"It's about re-introducing politics to people," explains the 81-year-old. "You don't just have to listen to politicians give speeches on the telly written by spin doctors.

"We get very good crowds who ask thoughtful questions. I enjoy them enormously.

I've learnt everything in my life by listening to people. We talk about religion, democracy, war, politics, and science, everything people want to ask about."

Politics runs in the blood of Tony's family. Parliament has seen the service of five family members in four generations, across three centuries.

"Both my grandfathers, my father, myself and my son. My grandfather was elected in 1892. It's a bit of a habit," he smiles.

Tony's son, Hilary Benn is the Secretary of State for International Development. Do they see eye-to-eye? After all, Hilary serves in a cabinet about which Tony is ruthlessly critical.

"Being a sensible dad, I give advice when it's asked," he replies. "But he's a lovely guy. He's got massive experience and he has a wonderful job in international development.

"He works so hard. He was on holiday when he rang me up and said he had to go to Beirut. He calls me from Darfur, Washington, Russia. He keeps me posted."

Talking of Beirut, what is Tony's take on the current situation?

"We should have supported the ceasefire from day one," he asserts.

"It was all planned by America and Israel long before those soldiers were kidnapped. The US wanted to have a go at Syria and Iran and encouraged the Israelis to bomb Hezbollah.

"Look at the figures, 1,000 Lebanese killed and one in four homeless. We need to use proper language to describe these deaths. When 50 people were killed in London on July 7, it's called terrorism."

"There will never be peace in the Middle East until the Israel/ Palestine question is settled. I supported Israel when it was founded but this has got to be sorted."

He is as witheringly scathing about the Blair government as he courteous and friendly to me.

"I don't think Bush cares very much what we think," he explains. "If we support him he pats us on the head but I don't think Britain has any real influence in Washington.

"We should have a special relationship with the UN, not the Bush administration."

I remind Tony of the look of despair on his face in 1994, when Blair announced the axing of the public ownership clause Four - a sacred belief to many party faithful.

"When Blair was elected leader he set up a new political party, New Labour. I'm not a member of it and I'm not having my party re-named.

"When Mrs Thatcher was asked her greatest achievement was, she said New Labour'. That says it all really. It's a continuation of the Thatcher policies dressed up to look new.

He adds: "The Labour party has never been a socialist party; it's always had socialists in it."

He laughs. "Just as there are some Christians in the churches."

Tony has four children and 10 grandchildren. His wife of 50 years, Caroline, died in 2000.

"I really love being with my family. We get together at Christmas, Easter and bank holidays. My oldest grandchild is 25 and my youngest is nine. She goes to a primary in London with 77 nationalities and a refugee centre in the school."

He chuckles: "She understands the world far better than I did when I was her age."

In the 1960s Tony's life was in turmoil when his father's death meant his inherited peerage barred him from serving as MP.

His older brother, who should have inherited the title, was killed in action during the Second World War.

In the ensuing by-election, Tony's Bristol constituents re-elected him with three times the majority, despite being disqualified from the job.

Tony embarked on a long battle to change the law to allow people to renounce their peerages.

"I was out of parliament for four years, with four kids and no income. It was a worrying time."

Eventually his efforts resulted in the Peerage Act 1963, or as he puts it: "After a bloody great row they changed the law."

So perhaps he is the best person to ask what should be done with the House of Lords now.

"Abolish it and replace with an elected house." He replies sharply.

"It may sound funny but we're supposed to be taking democracy around the world with the help of President Bush. How about a bit of democracy at home?"

"I don't see why the Prime Minister should stuff the parliament with his mates, it's outrageous."

So who does this Labour patriarch want as the next leader?

"I want to see an election," he replies. "It's not a bloody coronation.

"There's too much personality in politics. It's about what you do, not who wins the Oscar."

An evening with Tony Benn, September 8. Fairfield Halls, Croydon, 7.45pm, £13.50. Call 020 8688 9291 or visit fairfield.co.uk