Politicians and politics in general are not, it is fair to say, high up in people's estimations at the moment.

But while spending an afternoon with Tony Benn - Labour MP for 51 years and staunch advocate for democracy - it was impossible to feel anything like anger towards this man.

In fact, the experience was more like having a chat with a benevolent and wise uncle.

The 84-year-old got off to a good start by telling the audience that the problem with politicians today is that they underestimate the intelligence of the public.

He shared with us a piece of wisdom imparted to him by his father William Wedgewood, also an MP - that you should always ask a person in a position of authority: "What power have you got? Where did you get it from? In whose interests do you use it? To whom are you accountable? How do we get rid of you?"

A leftist through and through, Tony faced all questions thrown at him by audience members with calm intelligence and diplomacy.

There was some inevitable discussion on the furore surrounding MPs' expenses, but we covered a wide range of other topics, including the war in Afghanistan, Tony's admiration for Fidel Castro, the difference between a freedom fighter and a terrorist, changes to the Labour party, how "Tony Blair was a Thatcherite", as well as a whole host of anecdotes from his long and varied career and life.

Despite the seriousness of the issues being discussed, Tony managed to make the audience laugh every few minutes with his natural charisma and down-to-earth nature.

Everyone's questions may not have been answered, but the audience was certainly given plenty to think about and left wishing that all Sunday afternoons could be spent in this manner.

Whatever your political persuasions, most would have to agree that Tony Benn is very much a man of the people who seems to understand the frustrations and concerns of the public today. What a shame he is no longer in office.

Sundari Sankar

Verdict: Stimulating

and entertaining afternoon