Left-wing firebrand and scourge of New Labour, Tony Benn shuffled on to the stage looking like, well, the old man he is.

Dressed in a plain shirt and trousers, coloured sliver-grey like the hair on his head, the 78-year-old creaked as he took a seat in front the audience.

He sounded old as well - Benn told us a cold had left him with a nasty, chesty cough - a rattling noise which, amplified by his stage mike, made his voice resemble a neglected accordion at times.

But when he did talk, the years simply fell away. It was this passion everyone had come to see and hear.

Benn spoke about politics, socialism and democracy with a conviction so lacking in a world dominated by soundbites and spin.

No wonder people of all ages flock to these "public meetings" as he calls them.

Benn, with a combination of wit, nostalgia, anecdotes and argument not only showed the good points from the past, he encouraged everyone to try to improve things for the future.