Blair, Brown and Starmer pay tribute to ‘titan of the Labour movement’ John Prescott – UK politics live
Gordon Brown Honors Prescott's Legacy
Good morning! I'm Andrew Sparrow, stepping in for Caroline Davies.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently appeared on the Today program to honor John Prescott. He remarked:
John was a friend and a coworker, but when you think of him, he was larger than life—a true giant in the Labour movement.
John Lennon spoke about the concept of a working-class hero. This term can be tricky to define, but I believe John would appreciate that complexity.
You should consider his accomplishments. He was likely one of the first government officials to recognize the significance of environmental issues. The Kyoto Protocol, the environmental agreement established in 1997, can really be credited to John's efforts alongside Al Gore.
He recognized the significance of regional policy and became a trailblazer in this area. Much of the credit for the establishment of devolved powers and mayors can be traced back to John’s ideas and vision from the 1980s and 90s, a time when I had the opportunity to collaborate with him.
We should also remember that one of John’s significant accomplishments as the environment secretary was the renovation and enhancement of housing. He played a crucial role in fixing up 1.5 million homes that wouldn't have been upgraded without his strong commitment to modernizing social housing.
You should consider the real accomplishments of someone who may have been taken aback by his rise to the position of deputy prime minister, but nevertheless had a significant impact.
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Prescott Family Requests Donations To Alzheimer’s UK
John Prescott's family has released a complete statement regarding his passing. In the last years of his life, Prescott battled Alzheimer's disease. His family has requested that anyone wishing to send flowers consider donating to Alzheimer's Research UK instead.
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our cherished husband, father, and grandfather, John Prescott. He peacefully left this world yesterday at the age of 86.
He accomplished this while being embraced by his family's affection and the soulful sounds of Marian Montgomery's jazz.
John dedicated his life to enhancing the well-being of others, advocating for social justice, and safeguarding the environment. He started out as a waiter on cruise ships and eventually became the longest-serving Deputy Prime Minister in Britain.
John held a deep affection for his hometown of Hull, and serving its residents in parliament for four decades was the highlight of his life. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible NHS doctors and nurses who looked after him following his stroke in 2019, as well as the devoted staff at the care home where he spent his final days after battling Alzheimer’s.
Instead of sending flowers, you may consider making a donation to Alzheimer’s Research UK if you’d like to.
As you might understand, our family is going through a difficult time and we need to allow ourselves to grieve. We kindly ask for some time and space to do this privately. Thank you for your understanding.
Check out this collection of images featuring John Prescott.
Gordon Brown Honors Prescott's Legacy
Good morning! I'm Andrew Sparrow, stepping in for Caroline Davies.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently appeared on the Today program to honor John Prescott. He expressed:
John was a friend and a coworker, but when you remember him, he truly stands out as a giant—a towering figure in the Labour movement.
John Lennon mentioned the concept of a working-class hero. It's not easy to define that idea, but I believe he would appreciate the ambiguity.
Consider his accomplishments. He was likely the first government official to recognize the significance of environmental issues. The Kyoto Protocol, the environmental agreement established in 1997, can be largely credited to John's diligent efforts alongside Al Gore.
He came to recognize the significance of regional policy and became a trailblazer in that area. The current presence of devolution and mayors can largely be attributed to John’s ideas and vision that he consistently developed throughout the 1980s and 90s while we collaborated together.
We also need to acknowledge one of John's significant accomplishments as the environment secretary: the refurbishment and enhancement of 1.5 million homes. These renovations likely wouldn't have happened without John's strong commitment to upgrading the social housing sector.
You need to consider the tangible accomplishments of a person who may have been taken aback by his unexpected rise to the position of deputy prime minister, yet still managed to make a significant impact.
Tracy Brabin, the mayor of West Yorkshire, stated that Yorkshire has "lost one of its significant political figures." In a message on X, she expressed:
It's with a heavy heart that we learn of John Prescott's death. Yorkshire has lost one of its most significant political figures. A genuine Northerner, he always remained true to himself. John's accomplishments are well-known: he worked to address regional disparities, advocated for social justice, and championed environmental protection.
We all need to carry forward his legacy and put in persistent effort, just as he did, to build a nation that benefits everyone.
The wife and two sons of Lord Prescott mentioned that he had recently been residing in a care facility due to Alzheimer's disease. Hilary Evans-Newton, the CEO of Alzheimer’s Research UK, stated:
It’s truly sad to learn that Lord John Prescott, the former deputy prime minister and a significant political figure of our time, has passed away after battling Alzheimer’s. Our hearts go out to his family and friends as they navigate this challenging period.
It's heartbreaking to see so many lives being taken by dementia, which is the primary cause of death in the UK.
We are deeply touched by the family of Lord Prescott, who have requested that instead of sending flowers, donations be made to Alzheimer's Research UK.
As the foremost charity in the UK dedicated to dementia research, we are speeding up advancements toward finding a cure, ensuring that no one has to experience this fate.
London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, referred to Lord Prescott as a "remarkable figure" in the Labour movement. Khan shared his thoughts on X:
I was deeply saddened to learn about John Prescott's passing. He was a wonderful person, a dedicated trade unionist, an exceptional advocate, and someone who devoted his life to supporting others. The last Labour Government would not have accomplished as much as it did without his contributions. He was a remarkable figure in the Labour movement.
The head of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, stated:
I am truly saddened to hear about the passing of John Prescott, and my heart goes out to his friends and family during this difficult time. He was a significant presence in British politics, and his relentless dedication to the issues he supported serves as an inspiration to all of us. The impact he had on our society will continue to resonate for many years, and his contributions will be honored for generations to come.
Reflecting on the incident in 2001 when John Prescott hit a protester who threw an egg at him, Tony Blair shared on BBC Radio 4's Today program that he responded with, “well, John is John,” during a press conference afterward.
Someone cracked an egg on his head, and he spun around and threw a punch at the person, knocking them to the ground.
This led to quite a stir, as you can imagine... The following day, we had to hold a press conference during the election campaign. Some individuals were commenting that since he is the deputy prime minister, it's unacceptable for someone in that position to physically confront a voter.
Some people argued that he got hit in the head with an egg, and in response, he swung back at the person who did it. Many believe that’s a justified reaction.
Blair recounted a lengthy discussion that took place, mentioning, "When I was asked about it during the press conference, I responded by saying, well, John is just John. Was that really meant to be an answer? I replied, Yes, that's an answer; it's as much as can be said."
Ed Miliband, the current energy secretary and former leader of the Labour Party, referred to Lord Prescott as a "giant of the Labour movement."
Miliband posted on X:
I am truly heartbroken to learn about the passing of John Prescott. He was a giant in the Labour movement, a remarkable and one-of-a-kind advocate for justice.
Throughout his life, he dedicated himself to advocating for equal social and economic opportunities, supported environmental issues, and demonstrated the positive impact that political action can have on people's lives.
John embodied the core values of the Labour Party, and I will always appreciate the assistance he offered me during my time as leader. My heartfelt sympathies go out to Pauline, Jonathan, and David.
The former leader of the Conservative Party, Lord Hague, described Lord Prescott as a "powerful debater."
In a post on X, Hague mentioned:
John Prescott was a significant figure in our political landscape—full of passion, loyalty, and vitality. I will always remember our spirited discussions during debates. John was a powerful speaker, unwavering in his principles, and had a remarkable talent for connecting with the issues that mattered to the people he served. We both took pride in coming from Rotherham; while it influenced us in different ways, our conversations often had a certain straightforwardness—though in true Yorkshire style, John typically got to the point quicker than I did! His impact as a champion for working individuals and as a dedicated supporter of Labour will be lasting. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
Sir Tony Blair's homage went on:
I turned to him countless times: during tough situations and when facing challenges. Additionally, though it's not as widely recognized, I called on him when I needed someone whose intuition I had more faith in than my own.
Describing our relationship as a partnership doesn’t quite capture its essence. It wasn’t formal at all. We saw each other often and had conversations regularly. All the usual formalities were thrown out the window. We engaged in some intense discussions, but afterward, we always maintained a sense of unity.
In reality, despite the challenges, our differences, and the playful comments about our unique partnership, we had built a true sense of admiration, respect, and fondness for one another.
Beneath a tough outer shell and a demeanor that might have scared some off, there was a warm, caring, and compassionate heart. John was an incredible friend—better than you could wish for—possessing a genuine sensitivity and even a certain vulnerability.
He will rightfully hold a significant spot in the history of Labour leadership. His numerous friends and admirers across the globe will surely feel his loss deeply. Personally, today brings me great sadness, but also a deep sense of pride for having known and collaborated with him. He was an exceptional individual and a devoted supporter of both the country and our party.
Tony Blair 'Heartbroken' Over Prescott's Death
Former Labour Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair expressed his deep sorrow over the passing of Lord Prescott, calling his former deputy "one of the most skilled individuals I have ever met in politics."
Even though we were all aware that the end was near and unavoidable, I'm heartbroken over John's death. He was among the most skilled individuals I've ever met in the political arena, incredibly dedicated and loyal, and certainly one of a kind.
John was different from what people usually expected. Although he came from a proud, traditional working-class background, he had an innate understanding of his peers' hopes and their drive to improve their lives.
He had a progressive and open-minded attitude, but he quickly grew frustrated with the dismissive attitudes of the overly liberal middle class towards the suffering of impoverished inner-city neighborhoods plagued by crime and drug problems. Although he could use very direct and often harsh language, it masked a brilliant mind that not only engaged deeply with various issues but also genuinely cared about them.
It's not an overstatement to claim that the Labour Party would not have achieved three consecutive full terms without John. He was a dominant figure who embodied a faction of the party that wasn't aligned with New Labour. However, he managed to do this in a way that enhanced our attractiveness rather than hindered it, ultimately widening our support base.
He achieved remarkable things: he revitalized numerous inner-city areas in Britain, oversaw the renovation of thousands of public housing units, helped restore the British shipping industry, finished the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, and created the Coalfield Communities Trust to rejuvenate villages and towns impacted by mine closures. Additionally, he served as Britain's chief negotiator for the Kyoto climate treaty, which was the first international effort to tackle climate change collectively.
In an interview on the BBC Radio 4 Today show, the political editor Chris Mason characterized John Prescott as a straightforward and tough figure amidst the refined and polished nature of New Labour's middle class.
He shared with the audience that Prescott took pride in his working-class roots, his background in trade unions, and in connecting the history of his party to its current direction.
In his memoirs, Mason referenced former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who described Prescott as someone who was often infuriating, sometimes threatening, occasionally ridiculous, and at times truly impressive. However, he emphasized that Prescott was never boring, calm, uneventful, or easy to forget.
Jon Trickett, the Member of Parliament for Yorkshire County, recently posted on X:
"John Prescott was a prominent figure in the Labour Party, and I had the privilege of knowing him. I'm deeply saddened to learn of his death. The mining communities have a lot to thank him for, especially for his role in addressing the significant claims for industrial injuries. In my constituency alone, over 10,000 families received compensation totaling more than £100 million. Thank you, my friend."
Here’s the full tribute from Keir Starmer on X: He stated:
I am truly heartbroken to learn about the passing of John Prescott.
John was a prominent figure in the Labour movement. He passionately advocated for workers' rights and held a strong allegiance to trade unions. Throughout his ten years as Deputy Prime Minister, he played a vital role in shaping a Labour Government that significantly improved the lives of countless individuals throughout the country.
John's contributions laid the groundwork for many of us who are lucky enough to continue his efforts. Whether it was in spearheading climate talks or addressing regional disparities, his influence will endure long after he's gone.
Throughout the Labour Party and the trade union community, he will be remembered for his strong beliefs, bravery, and resilient character. His enthusiasm, strong presence, and pride in his working-class background contributed to his genuine nature—an honesty that garnered recognition and respect from people across the political spectrum and throughout the country.
On behalf of the Labour Party, I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to Pauline and the entire family, as well as to the city of Hull, where he dedicated forty years as a member of parliament. My thoughts are with all who had the privilege to know and care for him. May he find eternal peace.
