I usually prefer the other Mr Benn...

I'm no great fan of Tony Benn, but I was struck by a line of his quoted in Chris Mullin's diaries:

radical reform has three stages. First those in favour are virulently denounced. Then it all goes quiet as it gradually dawns on the denouncers that change is inevitable. Finally, a year or two from now, no one will even be able to recall that they ever held a different view

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