your comments
Michael Bevan, Isle of Wight
My grandfather John Bevan left Tredegar at the time that the Yorkshire coal field was being established. As a building contractor he was building housing for miners that had moved up from south Wales. He lived in Norton near Doncaster and it is said from a local source Aneurin had visited him.
Michael Webb, Marshfield
My father often told the story of Nye Bevan dressed in morning dress, being drive in his Rolls to Tetbury on a Friday pm. He would dine in the Snooty Fox/Fox and Hounds, change next day into ratcatcher tweeds and take a third class rail trip to his constituency. In the evening he would travel back to Tetbury, dress for dinner (again) and on Sunday be chauffered back to town. The Ross on Wye story is very interesting to me, it lends a bit of credence.
Rosemary Davies, formerly of Ebbw Vale
Tom Driberg's autobiography was at times scathing of Nye. Unsure as to the source of the info however. Anyone can say anything they want because the dead can't speak etc, but I would be interested to know where in Spain Nye's second home was. Was he as suggested a champagne socialist? Or was he just enjoying the finer things that wouldnt have been available had he been a collier? There's not a lot of info around regarding his private life. That's enough to fuel the conspiracy theorists among us!!!!
Mr B Lewis London
Forget the crown jewels they benefit no one, a bust of Nye Bevan in the Tower of London is much more valid he created a real jewel for the people, the NHS.
Mr B Lewis, London
It would be wonderfull if all politicians could retire and look back and say I actually made a difference not many can. Well done Nye - forever in your debt, the British working class.
David Dixon, Letchworth
Aneurin Bevan is one of Britain's great historic figures. His NHS and welfare state inspired two decades of talent in the fifties and sixties, and now Thatcherism has left it in tatters. May I say that the high cost of the NHS which shocked Bevan and Attlee in 1949 is due to the orthodox school of medicine, allopathic medicine, which is addictive in long-term use and ignores natural causes. This needs to be investigated by men worthy of Bevan.
Michelle Jenkins, Tredegar
Born in Tredegar in the 60s, after the funeral of my grandad I found out that I'm a great niece of Nye. So proud of what he's done, but what would he think of it now?
James Jack from Glasgow
Thank God for the NHS. And thank God for Nye Bevan. I love the quote about gaining power to give it away. So many owe so much to him and the Labour Government for establishing the NHS.
Eleanor Gellard from London
Aneurin Bevan is the greatest politician this country has ever had the privilege of electing, the National Health Service is also the most inspiring, socialist scheme that has ever been passed into law in this country. The small town Tredegar boy done good, in fact he done great. I only wish I was alive to have seen him and his health service break the despicable link between health and wealth. Thank you is not enough but is all I can say.
Hazel Wild in Manchester
I am under the impression that Nye Bevan is a relative, as my maternal grandma's maiden name was Bevan. I do believe that the nation's health would not be as it is today if it was not for Nye and his ambition and courage to bring about change in society. Also as an employee of the NHS I am fully aware of the areas that need considerable improvements. However, we must not forget how the NHS has moved on so far from a society where in the 1840s the average age of survival in Manchester as a labourer was 17 to the present time where the average age is in the 70s.
Hazel Wild, Manchester
I do believe that the nation's health would not be as it is today if it was not for Nye and his ambition and courage to bring about change in society. Also as an employee of the NHS I am fully aware of the areas that need considerable improvements. However we must not forget how the NHS has moved on so far from a society where in the 1840s the average age of survival in Manchester as a labourer was 17 to the present time where the average age is in the 70s.
Grace Torrens. Co. Armagh.
Until I saw the documentary on TV last night I knew little or nothing about Aneurin Bevan. From what I've learned he was a great man, a gentleman in fact. I would consider him a Christian more than a lot I know. When I look at some of the morons who govern this country now none of them are in the same league as Mr. Bevan. We all owe him immense gratitude and should be forever grateful to him. How could the GMC make such idiots of themselves? Some of the snobbery of which I seen on TV would have to be seen to be believed. Such snobs!!! I sincerely pray that Nye Bevan is in a better place. He is one man that I'm sure in God's eyes will be truly worthy. Grace Torrens.
Helen Jones Southport
I am Nye Bevan's great great niece. As a family we often have heated discussions regarding the state of the NHS today. I feel the whole system is a shambles with money STILL being used on wasted admin services, such as plush offices in Liverpool Docks, when they have unused office space in the old Infirmiry.
Joe Sammut from London
Greatest Labour MP there has been, he not Gaitskell was the greatest PM we never had.
Graham Moorcroft London
Can we inject a fact or two here? The NHS was a Tory idea, pushed by Winston Churchill and backed by Liberals. Labour actually opposed it: Ernest Bevin denounced it as a “social ambulance scheme”.
Holly from Brynmawr
I think that Aneurin Bevan was a brave man for taking on the whole of the government and telling them that medical services should be free.I respect Aneurin because he's a true Welsh man who stood up to the British government and country.
Bob Jones - Swansea
A complete dud when compared with Ernest Bevin - a much more far-sighted and effective politician. Nye Bevan completely failed to see that the NHS would become the bureaucratic monster it now is, spending inefficiently and not achieving commensurate results, which is why no other European "Social Democracy" has anything comparable. Just because he was Welsh does not mean he was any good. My father (miner at Big Pit) held him in utmost contempt.
Jan Jelley, Swindon
I think Aneurin Bevan was a great Welsh man who would be appalled to see what has become of the NHS. By the way, have you seen the painting of him in the University Hospital? It looks like a cartoon, all out of proportion.
Keith Smith, Wigan
I think Bevan was a true modern-day hero, as others have said. His force of personality and convictions enabled him to achieve what he did. I'm sure he would have no time for today's Labour Party leaders who invite arch-Tories into No 10 for tea!
James Hafren, Cardiff
In answer to Wyn Thomas' (Carmarthen) question: no Welsh Labour MPs supported the bill to allow the Liverpool Corporation to flood the Tryweryn Valley in north Wales. Like many on the British Left, Bevan was generally hostile to Welsh nationalism and devolution, which he perceived as a threat to the unity of Britain, and the British working-class in particular. However, he became, in his latter years, more sympathetic to the idea of Welsh language culture. In 1958, for instance, he presided over the National Eisteddfod in his home constituency of Ebbw Vale.
J Quigley from Comox, British Columbia, Canada
As a miners son, to do battle with Winston Churchill and hold his own was quite an achievement. He followed to the letter the dictates of his conscience for the benefit of the country. What a pity that school children or even teachers have not even heard of this wonderful man.
C. Coleman, Cannock, Staffs
Why do we not have politicians like him any more? Strong, compassionate and true to their beliefs. I also remember Nye Bevan as a provider of sweets during the election campaigns of Jennie Lee. He loved children and always had time for them and also always had a pocketful of sweets, which were still rationed remember. To us children a man who had a pocketful of sweets was a god-like creature.
Glyn Kembrey, Newport
Bevan was a great man with great talent, sadly missed in the Labour party today.
Carl Smith from Tredegar
As with previous comments this great man would be shocked with what's going on in today's politics, not only his political party but his home town - town clock not working for six months through lack of funds. I think we all in Tredegar have let him down, and ourselves down in this once great town.
Terry McCormick from Perth, Western Australia
Why don't the so called (New) Labour Party understand what this great man has done for the working class people instead of creating a pathetic version of the 'other parties' destructive, profit driven, corrupt manipulation of government. This great man lived, worked and died for the people he represented - not the global corporate management who control all the so called 'free world'. Governments we have ruling our lives today ... wishful thinking of past honest days.
Nia Jones
A hero, a visionary and sadly irreplacable. 28 years of Thatcherism and New Labour have ensured a generation of youngsters will not be taught the principles of ethical governance. When politicians are unashamed to say that market forces should drive society and the way it is run, we are in a very sad position indeed and one from which we will find it difficult to come out of.
Anthony James, Dorchester (but from Llandaff)
My youngest son is called Aneurin (a really cute 10 month old) and it is a shame that it is only people of a certain age who know who he is named after. We owe him so much - Bevan that is, not my baby boy!
Brian Jones, Durban, South Africa
I remember Mr Bevan parking his Rolls Royce in Ross on Wye hotel garage and redressing in an ordinary suit and catching the red and white bus to Tredegar!! Was he afraid to show his wealth to the persons he represented?
T P O'Brien, Port Talbot
Aneurin Bevan should be the stuff of legend in Britain, forget Wales! Nye and his ideas were borne of experience and pragmatic solutions, for the island of Britain. I don't think where the money comes from (Political Financial Ineptitude....or PFI) matters but a close guard needs to be kept on the for profit not for people sector!!
Let Britain rejoice in an NHS day with Nye as its cohesive force; a man with a terrible stammer at times and a high pitch voice........who could speak!
Carol Cleeton, Australia
I was proud to be the Nursing Officer in the 1980s at Tredegar General Hospital, one of the first hospitals to adopt Nye Bevan's Medical Aid Scheme, the forerunner of National Insurance contributions to fund healthcare. Sadly, later on the 'modern' NHS made me redundant so here I am in Australia. The present day NHS in the UK leaves a lot to be desired. I am glad Nye is not here to see it.
Ross Mumford, Tredegar
Whenever someone asks me where I am from, I say Tredegar, and most people say "Nye Bevan country?" It makes me proud to say YES.
Philip Heath from Warwickshire
Just the greatest. My thanks to Enoch Powell on the Parkinson show circa 1975 for mentioning someone I had never even heard of, Aneurin. Thanks again to Michael Foot for his biography, fabulous. We need Bevan's solutions to the problems of our society as never before, that is to base our economic decision-making not on the market, but on a set of moral values and national priorities arrived at by free and democratic debate, in parliament.
Christine Perdue from Australia
I used to live in 1 Charles Street, Tredegar and Nye lived in the same street, but not at the same time as me. We had a television crew filming his story there and it was either made into a documentary or series called 'Nye'. Perhaps someone can elaborate for me.
Reg Malpass - Cardiff
We will not see his like again because today's politicians, of all colours, are drawn from the ranks of middle class privilege and Party manipulation - the Career Politician who has no or little experience of the sharp end of things, apart from that studied at university.
Social injustice has to be lived with to put fire in the belly.
Hilda Willims from Rhymney.
I remember seeing Nye Bevan at a meeting by the clock in Tredegar. Nye did not need a microphone, he talked without a microphone, and his speech was awe-inspiring, what a man. He stood at the bottom of Tredegar Town clock and had everyone inspired.
Geoff Horan Hipperholme
He was a brilliant orator and a good socialist. He must be turning in his grave when he sees what has become of the country after decades of Thatcherism and New Labour. We need another far sighted man to lift us from the rock bottom we now find ourselves in.
Simon Nelson - Tredegar
Aneurin Bevan was the man of his time, in vision and principle. Where is the man (or woman) of our time?
Wyn Thomas from Carmarthen.
Can anyone please tell me whether Aneurin Bevan supported the flooding of Tryweryn. I understand he supported the idea, but can find no evidence to support this. Any help gratefully appreciated.
Jonathan Foulkes from Mold
A working class intellectual, Bevan's battles with the right wing of the Labour Party have almost been white washed from history but his determination to put Labour and then the country on the road to socialism teaches us important lessons in the days of 'New' Labour.
Cyril Highman from Newport
Aneurin was astute enough to always respect the working class sensibilities of his Tredegar constituents when as a minister he came down from Westminster on his visits. It is said he always changed from his smart London suit into a working class outfit at Newport station before catching the valley train up to Tredegar.
Shari-Marie Marshall
Aneurin Bevan was an incredible person. The NHS came into being because of him. As a medical student my studies include the history of the NHS.
The current state of today's NHS is disgraceful - he must be turing in his grave. What turned out to be a service our nation was proud of has now turned into a service our country is embarrassed of.
Gone are the days when you entered a hospital ill and returned home fit and well. You now run the risk of picking up many other ailments for example the MRSA virus as well as others.
Howell Evans from Llanwrtyd Wells via Malaysia
Although born in Tredegar in 1942, I can vividly remember Aneurin Bevan. I was interested in politics from an early age and in 1958 shared a stage at the Workman's Hall in Tredegar with the great man. He inspired myself and others to start a Young Socialists movement.Sadly his real world inspiration was to transfer to the spiritual world in 1960 and to this day his influence is significant in my day to day activities and relationships.
If he had not been taken so young, his profound thinking and application could have continued to positively affect our thinking, and maybe our whole political ethos. Mr Bevan was a man that made his own spin!
Fraser Simpson from Newton Stewart
30 years ago I studied Nye Bevan's life as a politics student - now my son studies him for his History exams. His resignation over dentures was an example of principle that would stun today's political world.
Don Jones from Caldicot
The present incumbents in number ten should look back at men such as Nye Bevan and hang their heads in shame at what they have brought a once proud party to.
J J Morgan History Teacher, Forest of Dean
Poor Nye must be turning in his grave.
Anu Mitra from London
Speaking as a doctor, Nye Bevan is one of my heroes. For a miner's son to manage to win round a pillar of the establishment - the medical profession - from 88% against to 90% for, is a staggering achievement. There is only a handful of figures in British political history who could have managed the same - even fewer who would have the will.
Catherine Belcher from Swansea
The state of the nation's health would be much worse without his vision and persistence. Coming from the background that he did, it is even more amazing that he turned into the great man that he was. I believe one statue in Queen Street is not enough to commemorate such an amazing man.
Creator of the National Health Service
