Tributes paid to former deputy PM and Hull MP John Prescott

Heartfelt condolences have been expressed for former Deputy Prime Minister Lord John Prescott, who passed away at the age of 86.

The long-serving Labour politician was initially elected as the Member of Parliament for Hull East in 1970 and continued to represent the area for nearly four decades.

Tim Iredale, the BBC's political editor for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, referred to Prescott as a "person who connects with the public."

Karl Turner, the Labour representative for East Hull, expressed that his impact on public service would always be remembered.

Turner expressed, "Having known John my entire life, I can personally attest to the influence he has had on countless individuals both in our city and throughout the country."

He shared with BBC Radio Humberside that during his childhood, his family frequently vacationed alongside Prescott's family.

On a visit to Alton Towers, Turner remarked, "John was eager to ride the log flume and ensure that we all got completely drenched."

He went on to say that even though he was a prominent figure in politics, he was also a kind and gentle person in his personal life.

He was exceptionally kind and remarkably generous, always making an extra effort to ensure that people felt valued.

Even after Prescott infamously struck a man who had hurled an egg at him during his campaign in North Wales back in 2001, Iredale mentioned that the public recognized it as a natural human response.

He mentioned, "I always believed he was invincible – the kind of person you expected to last indefinitely."

Throughout most of my time reporting on politics, he has consistently loomed in the background—a dominant figure, truly the largest of them all.

"If he had the opportunity to create his own legacy, he would be recognized for discussing climate change well ahead of most politicians."

He played a significant role in the transformation of the Labour Party.

"While Tony Blair represented the polished image of the new Labour movement, John Prescott embodied the true essence of Labour."

Iredale mentioned that Prescott was always easy to talk to, even if his opinions weren't what everyone wanted to hear.

Prescott earned the nickname "Two Jags" in the media when it was revealed that he owned two official Jaguar cars. He was frequently spotted cruising around Hull in one of them.

Iredale mentioned that he insisted on bringing any visiting dignitaries to his preferred Chinese restaurant, Mr. Chu's.

A newspaper article revealed that Prescott created a diplomatic stir when he remarked that an extravagant state dinner organized in China "wasn't as impressive" as the one hosted by Mr. Chu.

Melanie Onn, the Member of Parliament for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, mentioned that Prescott played a significant role in supporting her campaign back in 2017.

In a post on X, she mentioned: "Later, he entertained the locals at The Trawl, sipping on a pint. He ended up spilling most of it on his shirt and had to dry off in the men's room."

"Extremely intelligent and frequently overlooked. We'll truly feel his absence."

Prescott was an enthusiastic supporter of the rugby league team Hull Kingston Rovers and served on its board from 2006 to 2010.

He was a close friend of Paul Sewell, who is the chairman of the club and also the founder of the Sewell Group.

Mr. Sewell mentioned that the individual was quite believable because he hadn't transitioned directly from university to a career in politics; instead, he had real work experience.

He mentioned that Prescott has appeared alongside prominent figures such as Bill Clinton and Al Gore, and that he was also friends with Nelson Mandela.

"He was known as John during his time in Hull, but in Westminster, he became an influential figure on the global stage, and we need to come to terms with that," he stated.

Mr. Sewell stated that Prescott has contributed significantly to the city of Hull, particularly by securing funding for the revitalization project in the Preston Road area.

He showed up at a design meeting with the architect Richard Rogers, known for his work on the Millennium Dome and the Pompidou Centre in Paris, and announced, "I've brought along the most renowned architect I know."

I responded, "John, he's the most well-known architect out there."

Politicians often have a negative reputation, but many actually enter public service with the intention of creating positive change. John Prescott certainly exemplified this commitment on a grand scale.

The club's owner, Neil Hudgell, mentioned, "We'll really miss his great sense of humor and the entertaining tales he shared about his encounters with different world leaders, which always brought us joy in the boardroom on game days."

"We're thinking of his wife Pauline, his two sons Jonathan and David, as well as all his family and friends during this difficult time."

Daren Hale, the head of the Labour Group on Hull City Council, remarked, “John was an incredible figure who deeply loved the city he came to call home and served with great honor.”

Even after serving as the Member of Parliament for Hull East for 40 years, John remained actively engaged in the local community. We are truly honored that he still took the time to visit us at the Guildhall.

"He is a renowned political figure at the local, national, and international levels, and his absence will be profoundly felt."

In honor of the occasion, the council announced that the flag at the Guildhall would be lowered to half-mast.

David Davis, the Conservative Member of Parliament for the nearby areas of Goole and Pocklington, expressed his sorrow, stating, "The UK has lost yet another remarkable individual."

"We often found ourselves in political disagreements, but he never took it to heart," he stated.

He actually shared with his biographer that I was the only Conservative he respected, and he attributed that to my working-class background.

"However, he also understood when to work together and when to stand his ground, a talent that many contemporary politicians seem to lack."

“I’ll really feel his absence.”

Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson remarked on BBC Breakfast that much of Prescott's efforts involved considerable hard work, and that his accomplishments have mostly gone unnoticed.

Johnson described his close friend as "extremely smart and highly committed."

Regarding the egg incident, he remarked: "In a way, it shows his genuine nature."

John possessed remarkable qualities that he might not even realize he had. Thankfully, that confrontation was captured on camera, showing a much younger and larger man attacking him. John wasn't one to just let it go; he stood his ground. That was just part of who he was, shaped by his experiences.

In 2019, Prescott shared with The Guardian, "When I pass away, after having spent five decades in politics, all that will be featured on the news is a brief 60-second clip of me fighting someone in Wales."

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