Political figures across the UK have been paying tribute to former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who passed away yesterday at the age of 86.
Born in Prestatyn, Wales, Prescott was first elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull East in 1970. Five years after this, Prescott also began serving as a Member of the European Parliament, which he did until 1979.
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw Prescott challenging for Deputy Leadership within the Labour Party, with his 1988 defeat to Roy Hattersley being followed by a 1992 defeat to Margaret Beckett. During this time Prescott held a number of positions within the Labour Party’s Shadow Cabinet and, as his career continued to progress, he stood for the positions of Leader and Deputy Leader of the party following John Smith’s passing in 1994. Despite Tony Blair winning the Leadership election, Prescott was elected as Deputy Leader to the future Prime Minister.
In Tony Blair’s government, Prescott was Deputy Prime Minister with a large portfolio that saw him lead the newly created Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions. This office was broken up in 2001 and saw the formation of the still-existing departments for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Transport.
Prescott was a supporter of regional government, being responsible for the introduction of regional assemblies which led to regional referendums being held on the decision. This plan was eventually shelved after those referendums were defeated, but this began to open up the conversation for devolution and more regional decision-making. Prescott also supported the housebuilding, with this focusing on brownfield sites, as well as some areas of the green belt.
I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of John Prescott.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) November 21, 2024
John was a true giant of the Labour movement.
On behalf of the Labour Party, I send my condolences to Pauline and his family, to the city of Hull, and to all those who knew and loved him.
May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/evQe4GBoI9
Paying tribute to the former Deputy Leader of the party that he now leads in government, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that Prescott was “a true giant of the Labour movement.” As part of a post on his X.com account, Starmer also said:
“He was a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist. During a decade as Deputy Prime Minister, he was one of the key architects of a Labour government that transformed the lives of millions of people across the nation.
“So much of John’s work set the path for those of us fortunate enough to follow. From leading climate negotiations to fighting regional inequality, his legacy will live on well beyond his lifetime.”
After being given a life peerage in 2010, Prescott was replaced as the MP for Kingston upon Hull East by the current Member of Parliament, Karl Turner. In his own tribute, Turner posted on his X.com account:
“John was a lifelong member of the Labour Party and committed socialist. John had an unwavering dedication to the people of Hull.
“Having known John for all of my life, I know first-hand the impact that he had on many thousands of people across the city and the country.”
Sadiq Khan, the Labour Mayor of London, also posted his own tribute. Khan outlined how Prescott was “a lovely man, proud trade unionist, brilliant campaigner and someone who committed his whole life to helping others.” Fellow Labour Mayor, and former Labour MP, Andy Burnham, said that “he was the first to give the North of England a political profile and paved the way for the devolution of powers to it.”
Image credit: Stock and The National Archives
