How on earth can I find the most appropriate words as I battle with my personal pain and depth of sorrow at the death of my dear friend Tony Benn?

Tony will always remain an exceptional, historic symbol of great strength in the hall of fame and beyond the political agenda.

I first met Tony in 1984 during the miners’ strike. A meeting was being held in a hall near Swindon Station. During the meeting I voiced my deep concern for the miners’ families who were struggling without food during the bitter battle between the miners and Margaret Thatcher.

At the close of the meeting, Tony came across to me and we talked at length. So began a very special friendship of mutual concerns, ie the appalling plight of the elderly in our country, education, the NHS, Christianity and the total lack of respect for our English language.

Our meetings were always very uplifting and mutually happy, often on the terrace of the Houses of Parliament, weather permitting. Tony had been granted the Freedom of the House and everyone we encountered warmly greeted him with the utmost respect. His vital contributions to the history of our nation are already well documented.

Tony is remembered for so many attributes: his deep and binding convictions; his natural warmth and affinity to reach people across the divisions in our society; a remarkable speaker; so much depth of caring; a Christian socialist; and a national treasure. And so I am very privileged and deeply grateful that Tony touched my life during the past 30 years, with his strength, reassurance and very precious friendship.

We have lost an exceptional, gifted and natural leader, whose contribution will thrive for future generations through the power of the written word. I have lost a dearly loved and treasured friend above and beyond the political spectrum.

Mary Ratcliffe, Old Town, Swindon