“I cannot hand away powers lent to me”

— Tony Benn

Speech in the House of Commons (20 November 1991) http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1991/nov/20/european-community-intergovernmental during a debate on the Treaty of Maastricht.
1990s
Context: If democracy is destroyed in Britain it will be not the communists, Trotskyists or subversives but this House which threw it away. The rights that are entrusted to us are not for us to give away. Even if I agree with everything that is proposed, I cannot hand away powers lent to me for five years by the people of Chesterfield. I just could not do it. It would be theft of public rights.

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update Sept. 24, 2024. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "I cannot hand away powers lent to me" by Tony Benn?

Tony Benn 69

British Labour Party politician 1925–2014

Related quotes

“I hear a voice you cannot hear,
Which says I must not stay;
I see a hand you cannot see,
Which beckons me away.”

Thomas Tickell (1685–1740) English poet and man of letters

Colin and Lucy.

“O Thou Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, what Thou bearest in Thy blessed hands and feet I cannot bear; take it all away. Hide me in the depths of Thy suffering love, mold me to the image of Thy divine passion.”

Horace Bushnell (1802–1876) American theologian

Source: Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), P. 86.

“I cannot thank your law for my protection. I protect it. It is not in its power to protect me.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) American philosopher, essayist, and poet

1840s, The Conservative (1841)
Context: It will never make any difference to a hero what the laws are. His greatness will shine and accomplish itself unto the end, whether they second him or not. If he have earned his bread by drudgery, and in the narrow and crooked ways which were all an evil law had left him, he will make it at least honorable by his expenditure. Of the past he will take no heed; for its wrongs he will not hold himself responsible: he will say, All the meanness of my progenitors shall not bereave me of the power to make this hour and company fair and fortunate. Whatsoever streams of power and commodity flow to me, shall of me acquire healing virtue, and become fountains of safety. Cannot I too descend a Redeemer into nature? Whosoever hereafter shall name my name, shall not record a malefactor, but a benefactor in the earth. If there be power in good intention, in fidelity, and in toil, the north wind shall be purer, the stars in heaven shall glow with a kindlier beam, that I have lived. I am primarily engaged to myself to be a public servant of all the gods, to demonstrate to all men that there is intelligence and good will at the heart of things, and ever higher and yet higher leadings. These are my engagements; how can your law further or hinder me in what I shall do to men? On the other hand, these dispositions establish their relations to me. Wherever there is worth, I shall be greeted. Wherever there are men, are the objects of my study and love. Sooner of later all men will be my friends, and will testify in all methods the energy of their regard. I cannot thank your law for my protection. I protect it. It is not in its power to protect me. It is my business to make myself revered. I depend on my honor, my labor, and my dispositions for my place in the affections of mankind, and not on any conventions or parchments of yours.

“Adrian looked away from me and down to where my hand covered his. I blushed and pulled away. “Sorry” I’d probably freaked him out”

Richelle Mead (1976) American writer

“And there's kids playing guns in the streets
And one's pointing his tree branch at me
So I put my hands up I say
"Enough is enough,
If you walk away I walk away."”

Conor Oberst (1980) American musician

And he shot me dead.
I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning (2005)

“Take my hand and take me far away. Away from trouble, bad thoughts and difficulties. Take me with you, just you and me, into a world called happiness.”

Prevale (1983) Italian DJ and producer

Original: Prendi la mia mano e portami lontano. Lontano dai guai, dai cattivi pensieri e dalle difficoltà. Portami con te, solo io e te, in un mondo chiamato felicità.
Source: prevale.net