 A poll by the BBC2 "The Daily Politics" programme in January 2007 selected Benn as the UK's "Political Hero" with 38% of the vote, narrowly defeating Margaret Thatcher, who had 35%.For the 2007 Labour Party leadership election, Benn backed the left-wing MP John McDonnell in his unsuccessful bid.In September 2007, Benn called for the government to hold a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty.