Tributes to ‘true giant’ of politics John Prescott who has died aged 86
Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has died aged 86 following a battle with Alzheimer’s, his family has announced.
His family said he had ‘spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment’.
The former trade union activist and ex-merchant seaman died ‘peacefully’ and surrounded by relatives at his care home, they said.
Lord Prescott was a key figure of Sir Tony Blair’s New Labour project, seen by many as custodian of the party’s traditional values in the face of a modernising leadership.
Paying tribute to Lord Prescott, former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said: ‘Although we all knew that the end was approaching and was inevitable, I am devastated by John’s passing.
‘He was one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics; one of the most committed and loyal; and definitely the most unusual.
‘There was nothing about John which fitted conventional wisdom. He was from proud traditional working class stock yet understood instinctively and completely the aspirations of that class and their desire to better themselves.’
John Prescott's iconic moments in British politics
During his time in UK politics, John Prescott experienced a number of iconic moments.
Mr Prescott, sometimes known as ‘Prezza’, was also a prize winning boxer and proved this in 2001 when he punched a man who threw an egg at him during a visit to north Wales.
He landed a powerful left-hand jab at the egg thrower before police intervened.
‘Tony Blair rang and asked what happened,’ he explained afterwards. ‘I said: “You told us to connect with the electorate, so I did”.’
He was also filmed in 1994 showing of his pint-downing abilities, and managed to clear it in around five seconds.
(Picture: David Kendall/PA Wire)
He was ennobled in 2010 and introduced to the upper chamber as Baron Prescott of Kingston upon Hull having served for four decades as an MP for the city.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Lord Prescott was a ‘true giant of the
Labour movement’ and one of the ‘key architects’ of the last Labour
government.
In a statement released after his death, his wife Pauline and sons Johnathan and David said that representing the people of Hull had been ‘his greatest honour’.
‘We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away peacefully yesterday at the age of 86,’ they said.
‘He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery.
‘John spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment, doing so from his time as a waiter on the cruise liners to becoming 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. 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 wish to do so, you can donate to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
‘As you can imagine, our family needs to process our grief so we respectfully request time and space to mourn in private. Thank you.’
Lord Prescott ceased to be a member of the upper House in July this year after facing health difficulties.
He had only spoken once in the chamber since suffering a stroke in 2019, official records show, and had not voted since February 2023.
Over a parliamentary career spanning more than half a century, Lord Prescott served for 10 years as deputy prime minister after Labour’s 1997 general election landslide.
At times short-tempered, he once famously punched a protester who threw an egg at him during an election campaign visit to North Wales in 2001.
But during much of his time in office, he acted as a mediator in the often turbulent relationship between Sir Tony and chancellor Gordon Brown.
He also oversaw the environment, transport and the regions, a brief which included helping to negotiate the international Kyoto Protocol on climate change.
Lord Prescott was a loyal supporter of Sir Tony in office but subsequently critical of parts of New Labour’s legacy, denouncing Britain’s involvement in the Iraq War.
He also strongly defended Jeremy Corbyn during his time as party leader in the face of fierce criticism.
Born in Prestatyn in Wales on May 31 1938 the son of a railwayman, Lord Prescott left school at the age of 15 to work as a trainee chef and then as a steward on the Cunard Line before entering politics.
In a private letter in 2007, Sir Tony said his former deputy’s role ‘smoothing out problems, sorting out colleagues and trouble-shooting’ had been an ‘integral part of getting things done’.
The former prime minister said: ‘The completely unique Prescott blend of charm and brutality – made always more effective by the unpredictability of which would be predominant – got you through the decade, kept the government together and above all, gave me a lot of fun. I was lucky to have you as my deputy.’
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