Commenting on the sad news of the death of Tony Benn, CWU general secretary Billy Hayes, said:
Tony Benn addressing CWU Annual Conference in 2010.
Billy Hayes joined many others across the UK today in paying a heartfelt tribute to veteran socialist Tony Benn, who died early this morning aged 88.
"Tony Benn was a Labour colossus, whose principles remained unshakeable throughout his life," said Billy, who went on to highlight Mr Benn's honorary CWU membership, that had been awarded to him in 2009.
"He was an honorary member of the CWU because of his role as Postmaster General, and he never stopped fighting for the rights of all workers," explained Billy, in reference to Mr Benn's former government role.
Mr Benn was the youngest Member of the House when he first entered Parliament in 1950, representing the Bristol South East until the 1983 election, and then as the Member for Chesterfield from 1984 until his retirement in 2001, when he memorably announced that he was leaving Parliament in order to "spend more time on politics."
He remained active in campaigns against war, for social justice and for equality for the rest of his life, notably taking a leading role in the Stop the War Coalition and the more recent People's Assembly movement, becoming almost an annual fixture at Glastonbury's Left Field, and making regular appearances as a panellist on BBC's flagship political discussion programme Question Time.
Mr Benn was a staunch supporter of the CWU's struggle against the privatisation of Royal Mail and also of our fight to preserve and extend the Post Office network, and he was a guest speaker at rallies backing both campaigns.
At a People's Bank event at Westminster in 2009, Mr Benn began his contribution by reminding the audience that he was the "last surviving Postmaster General," in a reference to the first government post that he held during the 1960s government led by Harold Wilson.
"I had the pleasure of setting up Girobank," he recalled in his speech and condemned the subsequent sell-off of Girobank by the Conservative government. He pointed to the similarities between the founding principles of Girobank, and CWU's People's Bank proposal, which he described as "exciting" and he urged the union to keep up the fight.
Also the same year, Mr Benn was a keynote speaker at the mass rally that the CWU held in Central Hall to launch our fight against privatisation of Royal Mail, winning a standing ovation when he took to the podium having just been informed by Billy Hayes during his introduction of plans to award him honorary membership of the union.
"I'd rather be an honorary member of the CWU than a member of the House of Lords.," quipped the former Postmaster General, who told the rally that the fight against privatisation "is a battle we've got to win.
"You've got 100 per cent support from the unions and the backing of the public, who rely on the service you provide.
"I just hope the Prime Minister and Mandelson realise what they're up against and that they cannot win," Mr Benn added, winning another standing ovation when he finished speaking.
Reflecting on Tony Benn's lifelong record for the labour movement, Billy said today: "It was a huge privilege to work so closely with Tony Benn, who was a sincere friend of the union.
"Britain has today lost one of its greatest politicians."
Tony Benn: 3 April 1925 - 14 March 2014.