Tony Benn Quote

The House will forgive me for quoting five democratic questions that I have developed during my life. If one meets a powerful person—Rupert Murdoch, perhaps, or Joe Stalin or Hitler—one can ask five questions: what power do you have; where did you get it; in whose interests do you exercise it; to whom are you accountable; and, how can we get rid of you? Anyone who cannot answer the last of those questions does not live in a democratic system.

Speech to the House of Commons, 16 Nov 1998 (Hansard volume 319 column 685 fom 7.20pm, Debate on: European Parliamentary Elections Bill)