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    • Keir Starmer and Tony Blair pay tribute to ‘real giant’ after former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott dies aged 86
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    Keir Starmer and Tony Blair pay tribute to ‘real giant’ after former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott dies aged 86

    Harry Posted on

    KEIR Starmer and Tony Blair have paid tribute to “true giant” John Prescott after the former Deputy Prime Minister died aged 86.

    prescott He passed away peacefully in his nursing home yesterday. After battling Alzheimer’s.

    Prescott remains famous for punching protester who threw eggs at him

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    Prescott remains famous for punching protester who threw eggs at him1 credit
    Prescott with his boss Tony Blair

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    Prescott with his boss Tony BlairCredit: PA
    John Prescott served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007 as a member of the Labor Party.

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    John Prescott served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007 as a member of the Labor Party.Credit: Northern News and Pictures, Newcastle NE1 5JE
    Prescott with his wife Pauline

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    Prescott with his wife PaulineCredit: PA

    He served as Deputy Prime Minister between 1997 and 2007. Labor Party.

    prescott He was a key power broker of New Labor He often manages the tense relationship between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

    Paying tribute, Blair said: “I am devastated by John’s passing. He was one of the most talented people I have ever encountered in politics.”

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “I am so sorry to hear of the death of John Prescott.

    “John was a true giant of the Labor movement, a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist.

    “During his ten years as Deputy Prime Minister, he was one of the key architects of the Labor Government that changed the lives of millions of people across the country.

    “So much of John’s work prepared the way for those of us lucky enough to follow.

    “From leading climate negotiations to tackling regional inequality, his legacy will live on well beyond his lifetime.

    “Across the Labor Party and the trade union movement he will be remembered for his faith, courage and strength of character.

    “His passion, strength of personality and pride in his working-class roots were key to his originality, an integrity that was recognized and respected across political divides and across the country.

    “On behalf of the Labor Party, I offer my condolences to Pauline and all her family, to the city of Hull where she served as MP for forty years, and to everyone who knew and loved her.

    “Rest in peace.”

    Prescott was living in a nursing home after suffering a stroke in 2019 and passed away “peacefully” with his family by his side.

    In a statement declaring himself deathLord Prescott’s wife and two sons said: “We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away peacefully yesterday, aged 86.”

    The family added: “John spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment.

    “He did this from his time as a waiter on cruise ships to becoming Britain’s longest-serving deputy prime minister.

    “John loved his home in Hull and it was his greatest honor to represent his people in Parliament for 40 years.”

    Prescott was first elected MP for Kingston upon Hull East in 1970 and held the seat for almost 40 years.

    He first joined the shadow cabinet in 1983. transport Briefly, before rising rapidly through the Labor ranks.

    Deputy Prime Minister Prescott played a major role in the negotiations for the 1997 Kyoto Accord. climate change agreement.

    And he was widely seen as a tribune of the working class. Employee union supporters supported Blair’s centrist reforms.

    But he remains most famous for punching a protester who threw an egg at him during a rally in 2001.

    The politician later joked about the incident: “There was only one punch.

    “Tony Blair called me and said, ‘Are you okay?’ I said ‘Yes’ and he said ‘So what happened?’ he said.

    “I said, ‘I was just following your orders. You told us to connect with voters, so I did.'”

    He was nicknamed “the two Jags” when it turned out that they both had one owner. Jaguar while operating a second ministry vehicle.

    In 2015, he was banned from speeding after he was caught going 60mph in a 50mph zone in one of his beloved Jags.

    After spending his MP career criticizing the Lords as “a crime against democracy”, he shrugged off allegations of hypocrisy when he was appointed and said he agreed to become a peer because his wife Pauline wanted to.

    Following his time as Deputy Prime Minister, Prescott took a brief break from politics and then returned to advise Tony Blair.

    Prescott left the House of Lords this July after suffering a stroke in 2019.

    He was born in Welsh He was born in the seaside town of Prestatyn and first worked as a steward in the Merchant Navy.

    Prescott later studied at Ruskin College. Oxfordbefore entering politics.

    Hull East MP Karl Turner said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of my friend John Prescott, the former Deputy Prime Minister, at the age of 86.

    “John was a lifelong member of the Labor Party and a committed socialist. John had an unwavering commitment to the people of Hull.

    “Having known John my entire life, I know firsthand the impact he has had on thousands of people across the city and country.

    “John began his political career alongside my late father, Ken, as a union activist and full-time union officer with the National Seamen Union, which later became the RMT Union.

    “He served as the Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull East for 40 years.

    “John has made numerous contributions to politics, including his instrumental role in negotiating the landmark Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

    “More locally, John has helped secure funding and support for infrastructure projects such as the Hull tidal barrier.

    “I offer my sincere condolences to his wife Pauline, his sons Johnathan and David, and his grandchildren whom he cherished so much.

    “John’s legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of those he served and the city he loved.

    “Rest in peace, comrade! Your contribution to public life will never be forgotten.”

    The fiery John Prescott was proud to be an outspoken Northerner; He was the last authentic voice of the British working class

    By Trevor Kavanagh

    Kavanagh

    JOHN Prescott, a former Cunard Line waiter who rose to become deputy Prime Minister under Tony Blair, was the last real voice of the working class in high office.

    MP for Hull Known as the Mouth of the HumberHe spoke on behalf of the unions in the New Labor government, which eventually removed pressure on economic and industrial policy.

    As deputy leader of the Labor Party he was also the infamous referee.
    “TeeBee-GeeBees” flare up between Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown as they battle for the Labor crown.

    Burly “Prezza”, a decorated boxer, was a juggernaut both inside and outside Parliament.

    During the 2001 election campaign, an egg thrown by a protester hit him in the face.

    Prescott, an angry man, delivered a powerful left blow before police intervened.

    “There was only one punch,” he later explained. “Tony Blair called and asked what happened.

    “And I said, ‘You told us to connect with voters, so I did.'”

    Lord Prescott, who has died aged 86, was proud of his working-class roots and as an outspoken Northerner.

    But he was born in Prestatyn and considered himself a Welshman.

    He admitted later in life that he carried a chip on his shoulder after his brother Ray was rewarded with a new bike for turning 11 years old into primary school.

    John failed and got nothing.

    What he saw as a gross injustice fueled a lifelong resentment of elitism even within his own party and a distrust that brought him closer to the top of the political oil pole.

    He was deeply hurt that during his 10 years as deputy prime minister, he and his stunning wife Pauline, who looked like Elizabeth Taylor, were never invited to dinner at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s official home.

    Prescott blamed Blair’s “snobby” wife Cherie.

    “We were never close with the Blairs,” he said. “That didn’t happen. We were not their team. We were definitely not his set.

    The old ship’s steward was being mocked by the sweet-nosed Tories.
    Welcoming him to the House of Commons, Nicholas Soames shouted: “Mine’s a gin and tonic, Giovanni.”

    And he was once ridiculed for messing up the English language when he complained about “the scepter of unemployment watching over the northeast.”

    As an environmental officer, he boasted: “Green Belt is an Effort
    success and we want to build on that.”

    But a railway signalman’s son was no fool.

    He studied economics and politics at Ruskin College, Oxford, and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hull.

    He enjoyed his success, living in a Tudor-style mansion and playing croquet on the lawns of his official home, Dorneywood.

    A prominent socialist, he earned the nickname “Two Jags” by driving an XJ6 Jaguar and using a chauffeur-driven XJ8 for state business.

    “My roots, my background, my mannerisms are working class, but it would be hypocritical to say I’m anything other than middle class now,” he admitted.

    John Prescott’s remarkable political career collapsed dramatically in 2006 when his two-year love affair with cheerful secretary Tracey Temple was exposed after his jealous lover read her diary.

    Tracey, who sold her story to a Sunday newspaper for £250,000, described “groping and kissing” in the Deputy Prime Minister’s office and his ostentatious admiralty office flat.

    “We were very lucky we didn’t get caught because we never closed the door,” said Tracey, played by Maxine Peake in “Confessions of a Day’s Secretary.”

    “When I would go into his office for his daily meetings, if I was wearing a skirt he would slide his hand down my leg.

    “He was caressing my back. And yes, I had sex with him in the office
    several times.

    “I knew what we were doing was risky, but we both got carried away.

    “Seven officers were working right outside his office. Of course, there were moments when I thought I shouldn’t have done that.

    “I also thought about how surprised and shocked people would be if this came out.”

    Prezza resigned as Labor deputy leader at the 2006 party conference: “I know I let myself down. I disappointed you.

    “Conference then, sorry.”

    Nine years later he returned to frontline politics as Ed Miliband’s unpaid adviser on climate change.

    Prescott suffered a stroke while campaigning for Mr Corbyn in the 2019 election and retired from politics.

    Prescott kisses Pauline at the Labor Party conference in 2006

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    Prescott kisses Pauline at the Labor Party conference in 2006Credit: PA
    Prescott left the House of Lords this July after suffering a stroke in 2019.

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    Prescott left the House of Lords this July after a stroke in 2019.
    Prescott looks after Dennis the crab

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    Prescott looks after Dennis the crabCredit: PA

    Harry
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