PETER MULLEN’S column on Tony Benn (Echo, Nov 3) shows him to be a flawed character but does not invalidate anything the late politician said or wrote.

There is still a case for socialism and much of his contribution was inspiring socialism.

It was the consensus of the media generally that the manifesto the Labour Party created in 1983 lost it the General Election, but as I recall it the newly created Social Democratic Party took votes which Labour might have won and, though the Conservatives won handsomely, it was on the basis of a minority of the electorate.

I voted Labour, though I did not agree with all that was said in the manifesto.

I was not totally against the European Community and I thought that the approach to nuclear disarmament had not been explained well enough.

I am not the stereotype of a Labour voter but I prefer beer to champaign and, unless my finances improve, I will not have a fortune to leave my family.

I am content if my epitaph is that I have believed in socialism and the empowerment of working people.

Tony Benn wanted working people to find the way to empower themselves and it is through this legacy I will remember him

G Bulmer, Billingham.