One year on: 10 of Tony Benn's most memorable quotes

Saturday marks one year since the death of Tony Benn - one of the most iconic figures of the British left.

The veteran Labour politician sat as an MP for more than 50 years, before stepping down in 2001 so he could "spend more time on politics".

When he passed away at his west London home last year, Labour leader Ed Miliband said: “He will be remembered as a champion of the powerless, a great parliamentarian and a conviction politician."

Here are 10 of his most memorable quotes:

1. On the welfare state

If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people.

2. On the status quo

When you get to No 10, you've climbed there on a little ladder called 'the status quo'. And when you are there, the status quo looks very good.

3. On Marx

It is wholly wrong to blame Marx for what was done in his name, as it is to blame Jesus for what was done in his.

4. On homosexuality

When you think of the number of men in the world who hate each other, why, when two men love each other, does the church split?

5. On war

All war represents a failure of diplomacy.

6. On retiring

Normally, people give up parliament because they want to do more business or spend more time with family. My wife said ‘why don’t you say you’re giving up to devote more time to politics?’. And it is what I have done.

7. On democracy

If one meets a powerful person ask them five questions: 'What power have you got? Where did you get it from? In whose interests do you exercise it? To whom are you accountable? And how can we get rid of you?' If you cannot get rid of the people who govern you, you do not live in a democratic system.

8. On Labour

The Labour party has never been a socialist party, although there have always been socialists in it – a bit like Christians in the Church of England.

9. On politics

This idea that politics is all about charisma and spin is rubbish. It is trust that matters.

10. On progress

It’s the same each time with progress. First they ignore you, then they say you’re mad, then dangerous, then there’s a pause and then you can’t find anyone who disagrees with you.

More: Could there be a fifth generation Benn in the Commons?