Former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott has died aged 86, following a battle with Alzheimer’s, his household has introduced.
The previous commerce union activist and ex-merchant seaman served as MP for Kingston upon Hull East for 40 years and was a key a part of New Labour underneath Sir Tony Blair.
His household mentioned he had “spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment”.
Lord Prescott died peacefully, surrounded by kinfolk at his care dwelling on 20 November.
Picture:
John Prescott and his spouse Pauline.
Pic: PA
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The John Prescott ‘punch’ second from 2001
In a press release launched after his loss of life, his spouse Pauline and sons Johnathan and David mentioned that representing the folks of Hull had been his “greatest honour”.
They mentioned: “We’re deeply saddened to tell you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, handed away peacefully yesterday on the age of 86.
“He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery.
“John spent his life making an attempt to enhance the lives of others, combating for social justice and defending the surroundings, doing so from his time as a waiter on the cruise liners to turning into Britain’s longest-serving deputy prime minister.
“John dearly loved his home of Hull and representing its people in Parliament for 40 years was his greatest honour.”
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Former deputy PM John Prescott dies
They continued: “We would like to thank the amazing NHS doctors and nurses who cared for him after his stroke in 2019 and the dedicated staff at the care home where he passed away after latterly living with Alzheimer’s.
“In lieu of flowers and if you want to take action, you’ll be able to donate to Alzheimer’s Analysis UK.
“As you can imagine, our family needs to process our grief so we respectfully request time and space to mourn in private.
“Thanks.
“Pauline, Johnathan and David Prescott.”
A political large
Mhari Aurora
@MhariAurora
The loss of life of John Prescott – the longest-serving deputy prime minister in British historical past – has despatched shockwaves by British politics.
Serving in Neil Kinnock’s shadow cupboard earlier than turning into Tony Blair’s deputy, Prescott was a political large and an extremely influential working-class voice within the Labour motion.
The son of a railway signalman and the grandson of a miner, Prescott provided a recent working-class perspective in stark distinction to Tony Blair’s rich Oxbridge background: one thing that Blair has mentioned undoubtedly contributed to Labour’s electoral success.
Present deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has been in comparison with John Prescott for offering Starmer with a working-class teammate with a commerce union background, however Prescott’s vibrant life and authenticity – even when that meant punching a protester for throwing an egg at him – can by no means be emulated.
No matter he is remembered for – from the Kyoto Protocol, being a mediator between Blair and Brown, or maybe his private points – there isn’t a doubt that his profession will go down in historical past as a consequential contribution to the Labour motion.
‘An important man and nice servant of nation and occasion’
Lord Prescott served as deputy chief underneath Sir Tony and was seen by many as a key hyperlink to the occasion’s conventional working-class values amid the modernising push.
The 2 of them turned generally known as “the odd couple”.
Sir Tony described him as “one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics” who may “talk in the bluntest and sometimes bluest language”.
Picture:
The ‘odd couple’ on the Brighton races, in 1995.
Pic: PA
He added: “He was from proud traditional working-class stock yet understood instinctively and completely the aspirations of that class and their desire to better themselves.
“It’s no exaggeration to say the Labour Celebration may by no means have gained three consecutive full phrases with out John.”
Sir Tony continued: “Beneath what could possibly be a fierce exterior, and a way some undoubtedly discovered intimidating, beat a loving, form and compassionate human coronary heart.
“John was as good a friend as you could ever hope to have, with a deep sensitivity, even vulnerability.
“He’ll deservedly occupy a particular place within the pantheon of the Labour management; he might be mourned by his many associates and followers around the globe and for me personally, immediately is a day of profound unhappiness but additionally immense satisfaction in having identified him and labored with him: an amazing man and nice servant of nation and Celebration.”
King tribute to ‘unique character’
The King also paid his respects to Lord Prescott’s achievements and praised his “indomitable character”.
“I’m deeply saddened to be taught of the loss of life of Lord Prescott,” he said. “I keep in mind with nice fondness his distinctive and indomitable character, in addition to his infectious sense of humour.
“My thoughts and greatest sympathy are with Lord Prescott’s wife, family and loved ones at such a difficult time, and I am sure that very many people will recognize and greatly appreciate Lord Prescott’s decades of public service in front-line politics.”
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Picture:
(L-R) Blair, Prescott and Brown on the Labour Celebration convention in 1998.
Pic: PA
Lord Prescott famously punched a protester who threw an egg at him throughout an election marketing campaign go to in North Wales in 2001.
Throughout a lot of his time in workplace, Lord Prescott acted as a mediator between Sir Tony and then-chancellor Gordon Brown.
Mr Brown mentioned: “Few achieve something akin to heroic status in their own lifetime, particularly when having to deal with the compromises of being in government, but John Prescott became – and will remain – a legend of the Labour Party”.
He added: “John Lennon said the working class hero is a difficult thing to be, but I think John would be just fine with being remembered that way.”
As soon as in authorities, “he fought to make sure” the occasion delivered for “those people who felt left behind”, she added.
“People talk about the Red Wall – John Prescott was the Red Wall.”
Picture:
Pic: AP
He additionally served as secretary of state for the surroundings, transport and areas and helped negotiate the worldwide local weather change treaty the Kyoto Protocol.
Former US vice chairman Al Gore labored with Lord Prescott on the Kyoto Protocol in 1997.
He mentioned he had “never worked with anyone in politics – on my side of the pond or his – quite like John Prescott”.
He added: “He possessed an inherent ability to connect with people about the issues that mattered to them – a talent that others spend years studying and cultivating, but that was second nature to him.”
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Whereas a loyal supporter of Sir Tony in workplace, Lord Prescott subsequently turned essential of components of the legacy left behind by New Labour.
This included denouncing Britain’s involvement within the Iraq Warfare.
He additionally defended Jeremy Corbyn throughout his time as occasion chief within the face of fierce criticism.
Picture:
John Prescott diving off the coast of Northumberland in celebration of World Oceans Day in 1997.
Pic: PA
Picture:
John Prescott takes an in depth take a look at a Chinese language Mitten Crab referred to as Dennis, throughout a information convention in regards to the Millenium flood defences.
Pic: PA
He was ennobled in 2010 however ceased to be a member of the higher Home in July after going through well being difficulties.
He had solely spoken as soon as within the chamber since struggling a stroke in 2019, and had not voted since February 2023.
Born in Prestatyn, Wales, on 31 Could 1938, the son of a railwayman left faculty aged 15 to work as a trainee chef, then as a steward on the Cunard Line earlier than getting into politics in a profession that spanned a long time.
