Tony Blair leads tributes to Labour giant

Tributes have been paid to Lord John Prescott, a serious determine in Labour politics and the previous deputy prime minister, following his demise on the age of 86.

Recognized for his blunt, no-nonsense model, Lord Prescott was Sir Tony Blair’s loyal deputy for 10 years after Labour’s 1997 basic election landslide.

Sir Tony stated he was “devastated” by the demise of his pal, telling the BBC there was “nobody fairly like him in British politics”.

His successor Gordon Brown known as Lord Prescott a “working class hero”, whereas Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed a “true large” of the Labour motion.

The King praised his “many years of public service” and recalled “with nice fondness his distinctive and indomitable character, in addition to his infectious sense of humour”.

In an announcement saying his demise, Lord Prescott’s spouse and two sons stated he had been in a care dwelling not too long ago residing with Alzheimer’s.

They stated he died “surrounded by the love of his household and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery”.

Sir Tony stated the pair would discuss through videocall in current occasions, and Lord Prescott was “nonetheless as full of life and punchy as ever”.

Chatting with BBC Radio 4’s At the moment programme, the previous prime minister stated Lord Prescott reached components of the voters that he couldn’t, and was “loyal, dedicated and an infinite assist” as his deputy.

Nevertheless, he stated their relationship was not simply political and so they developed a “real admiration, respect and affection for one another”.

Brown described him as a “colossus” and “a titan of the Labour motion”.

Lord Prescott performed a useful function as peacemaker between Brown and Sir Tony, usually being described as their “marriage counsellor”.

Paying tribute within the Home of Commons, Sir Keir stated Lord Prescott was “a person who fought for working-class ambition as a result of he lived it”, including: “He really was a one off.”

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner – who shares a working class and commerce union background with Lord Prescott – stated he was “not solely a Labour legend however an inspiration to me”.

She stated he had been “an enormous help”, providing the recommendation to “be authentically your self and hold desirous about the folks you’re there to characterize”.

Lord Mandelson, a key architect of New Labour, hailed him as an “all time nice” of the get together.

The previous cupboard minister, who at occasions clashed with Lord Prescott in authorities, stated he was “the anchor of New Labour” and “the glue that saved us collectively”.

He instructed the BBC Lord Prescott was a “fighter for working folks” and needed them “to have all of the alternatives that he’d had”, which made him “an important a part of New Labour”.

Born in Prestatyn, Wales, Lord Prescott left college at 15 and labored as a steward within the Service provider Navy. He then studied at Ruskin Faculty in Oxford, earlier than getting into politics.

In a profession that stretched again over half a century, Lord Prescott was first elected as MP for Hull East in 1970 and went on to carry the seat for nearly 40 years.

He joined the shadow cupboard in 1983 because the get together’s transport spokesman and would later turn out to be Sir Tony’s deputy.

When Labour gained energy in 1997, he grew to become deputy prime minister, in addition to main a division with obligations spanning the surroundings, transport and the areas.

It was in that function that he helped negotiate the landmark Kyoto local weather change treaty.

Regardless of pushing for a change from automobiles to public transport, he was nicknamed “two jags” by the press after it emerged he had two Jaguar automobiles. However in 2021, he revealed he not had a motorcar, saying “I’m now Zero Jags”.

He additionally famously punched a person who threw an egg at him whereas on the final election marketing campaign path in Rhyl, north Wales in 2001.

After photos of the incident appeared in press all over the world, a brand new nickname of “two jabs” was coined for him by journalists.

Lord Prescott stated he had acted in self-defence and police refused to take any additional motion. Subsequent newspaper polls prompt most individuals supported his response.

Commenting on the time, Sir Tony stated: “John is John”.

Talking of the incident as he paid tribute on At the moment, Sir Tony stated “that is what he was like”.

“There have been no guidelines that he actually abided by.”

Although a loyal supporter of Sir Tony throughout his time in workplace, Lord Prescott was later important of Britain’s involvement within the Iraq battle, telling the BBC that the 2003 invasion of the nation “can’t be justified”.

He retired from the Commons in 2010 and to the shock of lots of his supporters accepted a peerage, regardless of reportedly having as soon as stated: “I do not wish to be a member of the Home of Lords. I cannot settle for it.”

He defended the choice as a result of it will give him continued affect over environmental coverage.

He ceased to be a member of the Home of Lords in July of this yr resulting from non-attendance, having solely spoken as soon as within the chamber since struggling a stroke in 2019.

“John spent his life attempting to enhance the lives of others, preventing for social justice and defending the surroundings, doing so from his time as a waiter on the cruise liners to changing into Britain’s longest serving deputy prime minister,” his household stated.

“John dearly cherished his dwelling of Hull and representing its folks in Parliament for 40 years was his best honour.”

Lord Prescott married his spouse, Pauline, in 1961 and so they had two youngsters collectively – David and Jonathan.