Tony Benn and QE2

[riskygizmo]

Tony Benn, Labour MP, and Minister for Technology while QE2 was being built, who passed away today.

http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10439155

[Michael Gallagher]

Tony Benn, who died earlier today, was a regular visitor to the John Brown shipyard during QE2's construction and took a keen interest in the ship. There were delays with the construction of the ship and problems with her machinery and these would see the Minister of Technology (as he was then) visit the ship and the yard.

During one dispute he told gathered workers "I am here to take the steam out of the argument and put it back into the turbines!".

Here he is inspecting one of QE2's turbine rotor blades. 

When writing the QE2 book in 2007 I asked Tony Benn for his thoughts on the ship and he replied that he always thought she was an important ship - even then [when building].

[June Ingram]

Thank you, Michael, for your insight and photos.  Much appreciated !  June

[Rob Lightbody]

Tony Benn, who died earlier today, was a regular visitor to the John Brown shipyard during QE2's construction and took a keen interest in the ship. There were delays with the construction of the ship and problems with her machinery and these would see the Minister of Technology (as he was then) visit the ship and the yard.

During one dispute he told gathered workers "I am here to take the steam out of the argument and put it back into the turbines!".

Here he is inspecting one of QE2's turbine rotor blades. 

When writing the QE2 book in 2007 I asked Tony Benn for his thoughts on the ship and he replied that he always thought she was an important ship - even then [when building].

Fantastic information Michael, thank you!!

[Lynda Bradford]

I had the privilege of listening to Tony Benn speaking to the Singer Sewing Machine factory workers in Clydebank in the 1960's.  It is possible that he had been visiting John Brown's to view the progress of the QE2 and visited the Singer factory at the same time.  In the 1960's he was better known as Anthony Wedgewood Benn, formerly 2nd Viscount Stansgate.  The fact he had renounced his title when his father died so that he could remain in the House of Commons shows how committed he was to his political career.

The Scotsman Newspaper Obituary:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/obituary-tony-benn-pc-politician-1-3341220