Former British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott died this Wednesday at the age of 86, as announced by his family, who declared that “he dedicated his life to trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment.” atmosphere”.
The veteran union leader and former merchant marine suffered from Alzheimer’s, and died “peacefully” surrounded by his family at his residence, according to his family.
Prescott was a key figure in Tony Blair’s New Labor project, seen by many as the guardian of the party’s traditional values in the face of centrist leadership.
In 2010 he was presented to the Upper House as Lord Prescott of Kingston upon Hull, after having served for four decades as an MP for the city.
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, from his time as a waiter on cruise ships to becoming Britain’s longest-serving deputy prime minister.”
“John deeply loved Hull, his hometown, and representing its people in Parliament for 40 years was his greatest honour. ”We would like to thank the incredible 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 living with Alzheimer’s. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, you can donate to Alzheimer’s Research UK,” the family said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Prescott was a “true giant of the Labor movement” and one of the “key architects” of the last Labor government.
Blair declared himself “devastated” by Prescott’s death, describing his second as “one of the most talented people I have ever met in politics. Although we all knew the end was near and inevitable, I am devastated by John’s passing. He was one of the most talented people I have ever met in politics; one of the most committed and loyal; and definitely the most unusual.”
“There was nothing about John that fit conventional wisdom. “He came from a proud traditional working class, but he instinctively and completely understood the aspirations of that class and its desire to improve,” the former prime minister has said: “He was liberal and tolerant, but intolerant of any overly liberal middle-class contempt for the misery suffered by poor inner-city communities due to crime and drug addiction. He could speak in the most frank and sometimes stark language, but he hid a first-rate intellect that made him think as deeply about problems as he cared about them. It is no exaggeration to say that the Labor Party could never have won three consecutive full terms without John. He had an imposing presence. “He represented the non-New Labor wing of the party, but he did so in a way that never reduced the effectiveness of our appeal and, in fact, broadened it, broadening the base of our support.”
Blair adds: “I trusted him many times: when I was in difficulty, under attack; and less well known, when I needed someone whose instincts I trusted more than mine. To say we were allies would not reflect the nature of our relationship. There was nothing formal about it. We saw each other and talked regularly. We left aside the rules of protocol. We had debates that could be fierce. But once they were concluded, the common line was maintained.”
Prescott ceased to be a member of the Lords in July this year after worsening health problems. He had only spoken once in the chamber since suffering a stroke in 2019, according to official records, and had not voted since February 2023.
Throughout a parliamentary career spanning more than half a century, Prescott served for 10 years as deputy prime minister following Labour’s landslide victory in the 1997 general election.
Sometimes grumpy, he famously punched a protester who threw an egg at him during an election campaign visit to North Wales in 2001. But for much of his tenure, he acted as a mediator in the often turbulent relationship between Tony Blair and his chancellor, Gordon Brown.
He also oversaw the environment, transportation and regions, a task that included helping negotiate the international Kyoto protocol on climate change.
Prescott was a loyal supporter of Blair in office, but later criticized parts of New Labour’s legacy, denouncing British involvement in the Iraq War.
He also strongly defended Jeremy Corbyn during his time as party leader against critical voices from the most centrist wing of the party.
Born in Prestatyn, Wales, on 31 May 1938, the son of a railwayman, Prescott left school at 15 to work as an apprentice cook and then as a waiter on the Cunard Line before entering politics.
In a private letter from 2007, Blair stated that the role of his former number two “smoothing differences, organizing colleagues and solving problems” had been an “integral part of getting things done.”
The former Prime Minister said: “Prescott’s unique mix of charm and brutality, always more effective for unpredictability than would otherwise prevail, stayed with you over time, kept the Government together and, above all, amused me greatly. “I was lucky to have him as my deputy.”
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