VETERAN Labour politician Tony Benn was the guest speaker at the latest Ebor Lecture.

Organised by York St John University and held at the Minster, Mr Benn spoke on the subject The Moral Choice In Politics.

Speaking to The Press before the event, Mr Benn said he did not believe politicians were any less moral today than they were when he first entered Parliament. And he warned against public apathy about voting.

Mr Benn said: “What people think to be right or wrong is consistent but there are always people who don’t live up to those expectations. The public has to trust politicians and politicians must trust the public. If you think people are out for themselves you abandon the vote and abandon responsibility for society.”

Some 1,500 were at the Minster to hear Mr Benn speak who has proved to be the most popular guest so far in a field that has included Robert Peston and Dr Rowan Williams.