John Prescott loss of life: Former deputy prime minister dies aged 86 | EUROtoday

King Charles and Sir Tony Blair led tributes to former deputy prime minister John Prescott, who has died on the age of 86 after battling Alzheimer’s.

The King hailed the Labour veteran’s “decades of public service” in frontline politics and stated he was “deeply saddened”.

“I remember with great fondness his unique and indomitable character, as well as his infectious sense of humour,” he stated.

Lord Prescott, who was a pivotal determine in Blair’s New Labour undertaking, died peacefully in a care house surrounded by household.

During a parliamentary profession spanning 50 years, he served as deputy prime minister for a decade following the occasion’s landslide victory in 1997.

While he was identified for his fiery temperament, he performed an important function in mediating the customarily fractious relationship between Blair after which chancellor Gordon Brown.

The former MP for Kingston upon Hull East, a seat which he held for 4 many years, made headlines in 2001 when he punched a protester who had thrown an egg at him throughout an election marketing campaign occasion in North Wales.

Blair’s former spin physician Alastair Campbell stated the federal government “could not have had a better peacemaker”, including: “Of course he was combative but he had an enormous heart and a great capacity for friendship.”

His makes an attempt to push by the Kyoto local weather change deal within the UK as a cupboard minister additionally earned him the nickname “two Jags” for his use of two Jaguar vehicles for brief journeys whereas making an attempt to encourage individuals to make use of automobiles much less.

Born in Prestatyn, Wales, on 31 May 1938, Lord Prescott rose from humble beginnings because the son of a railway employee to turn into one of many Labour Party’s most distinguished figures.

Though a steadfast ally of Sir Tony throughout his tenure, Lord Prescott later criticised facets of New Labour’s legacy, together with the controversial determination to invade Iraq.

A former commerce unionist and service provider seaman, Lord Prescott was broadly identified for his dedication to social justice and environmental safety.

He was seen by many as the person who carried the torch for the standard labour motion inside his occasion, at a time when it was being radically modernised by Sir Tony and Mr Brown.

Paying tribute to his former deputy, Sir Tony described him as “one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics”, saying he’s devastated by the loss.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown stated: “He was a colossus and titan of the Labour movement.

“When you hear the term working class hero, John fitted that description.”

Listing his “great achievements”, Mr Brown famous his work on the Kyoto Protocol, devolution and the restore and enchancment of housing.

He went on: “At all times he was a unifying force. As deputy leader he realised the passion for unity in the Labour Party. He was important in holding the party together, particularly over Iraq.

“Despite his image as a tough person who was uncompromising, John really wanted people to work together.”

He famous: “John always talked about enduring values in Labour politics, so his values never changed.”

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer stated Lord Prescott was a “true giant of the Labour movement” and one of many “key architects” of Labour’s final authorities.

Former house secretary Alan Johnson, who was a neighbouring MP in Hull, stated: “While many people’s description of John was uncompromising, he spent most of his life finding compromise and making deals.”

There have been additionally tributes from former opponents. Tory grandee and former deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine stated: “It would be ridiculous to say we were close because that is not the way of politics [but] John and I got on very well.

“Once you got away from the political spotlight and the need to show your followers you are on side, we had a lot in common and the desire to better the lives of people.”

Baroness Harriet Harman, who succeeded Prescott as deputy chief of the occasion, stated he was a “huge figure in bringing Labour back into government”.

She described him as a “combative unifier who outsmarted those who underestimated him”, including: “He reassured Labour traditionalists that there was a place for them in New Labour.”

In a press release, Lord Prescott’s spouse Pauline and sons Jonathan and David expressed their sorrow, calling his years serving the individuals of Hull his best honour.

He died “surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marion Montgomery”, they stated.

“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.”

“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.”

Lord Prescott stepped down from the House of Lords in July as a consequence of well being challenges. Records reveal he had spoken within the chamber solely as soon as since struggling a stroke in 2019 and had not participated in a vote since February of final yr.

He as soon as wrote that whereas he was “not a raving royalist”, he had “a lot of time for Charles” who he described as a passionate environmentalist, and informed how he acquired a handwritten notice from the then prince in 2003 when his mom died.

Sir Tony wrote in his memoirs how Charles was baffled by Lord Prescott’s behavior of balancing a teacup and saucer on his abdomen.

In his 2010 ebook, A Journeyhe recalled bumping into the royal who had simply his first assembly with the deputy prime minister.

“Does he ever do that thing with you?” requested Charles. “When he’s sitting opposite you, he slides down the seat with his legs apart, his crotch pointing a little menacingly, and balances his teacup and saucer on his tummy. It’s very odd. I’ve never seen someone do that before. What do you think it means?”

Sir Tony stated he replied: “I don’t think it means anything, really.”

Charles continued: “Hmm. You don’t think it’s a sort of gesture or sign of hostility or class enmity or something?”

Sir Tony reassured him that his deputy made the identical gesture to him very often, including lastly: “I think he just likes drinking his tea that way.”

Former US vice-president Al Gore, who labored with Lord Prescott on the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, stated he had “never worked with anyone in politics – on my side of the pond or his – quite like John Prescott”.

“He fought like hell to negotiate the Kyoto Protocol and was an unwavering champion of climate action for decades to come,” Mr Gore stated. “I’m forever grateful to John for that commitment to solving the climate crisis and will miss him as a dear friend.”