‘Devastated’ Tony Blair pays tribute to Labour’s ‘great beast’

former deputy prime minister John Prescott His family announced that he died at the age of 86 after a battle with Alzheimer’s.

His family said he “spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment.”

They said the former union activist and ex-marine seaman died “peacefully” and was surrounded by relatives at his care home.

Lord Prescott was a key figure in Sir Tony Blair’s New Labor projectHe is seen by many as the protector of the party’s traditional values ​​in the face of a modernizing leadership.

Sir Tony said he was “devastated” by Lord Prescott’s death and described his deputy as “one of the most talented people I have encountered in politics”.

“It is not an exaggeration to say workforce “The party would never have won three consecutive terms without John,” he said.

Lord Prescott was made a peerage in 2010 and was introduced to the upper house as Baron Prescott of Kingston. body I served as the city’s deputy for forty years.

His wife Pauline and sons Johnathan and David said in a statement after his death that it had been his “greatest honour” to represent the people of Hull.

“We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away peacefully yesterday at the age of 86,” they said.

“He did this surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery.

“From his time as a waiter on cruise ships to becoming Britain’s longest-serving deputy prime minister, John spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment.

“John loved his home in Hull and it was his greatest honor to represent his people in Parliament for 40 years. We would like to thank the wonderful NHS doctors and nurses who cared for him after his stroke in 2019, and the dedicated staff at the care home where he died after living with Alzheimer’s.

“In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Research UK if you wish.

“As you can imagine, our family needs to process our pain, so we respectfully request time and space to grieve privately. Thank you.”

Former prime minister Sir Tony, paying tribute to Lord Prescott, said: “I am devastated by John’s passing, even though we all knew the end was near and inevitable. He was one of the most talented people I have ever encountered in politics; one of the most determined and loyal; and certainly the most unusual.

“There was nothing about John that conformed to conventional wisdom. He came from proud traditional working-class stock, but he instinctively and completely understood the aspirations of this class and their desire for self-improvement.

“He was liberal and tolerant, but instantly intolerant of the ultra-liberal middle class’ disregard for the misery of inner-city poor communities due to crime and drug use. He could speak in the clearest and sometimes bluest language, but this concealed a first-rate intelligence; This meant that he thought about issues as deeply as he cared about them.

“It is no exaggeration to say that Labor would not have won three consecutive terms without John. He was a commanding presence. He represented the non-wing of the party. New Laborbut he did so in a way that never diminished the effectiveness of our call and in fact broadened it, broadening the base of our support.

“He had remarkable achievements: he revitalized many of Britain’s inner cities, was responsible for the regeneration of thousands of council houses, was responsible for the revival of British shipping, completed the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, founded the Coalfield Communities Trust to bring life back to villages and helped restore life to villages affected by mine closures. towns; and was Britain’s chief negotiator for the Kyoto climate agreement, the world’s first attempt to agree a global response to climate change.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” by Lord Prescott’s death.

“John was a true giant of the Labor movement. He was a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist. During his decade-long tenure 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; political division and an integrity that is recognized and respected throughout 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 40 years, and to everyone who knew and loved her. May he rest in peace.”

Lord Prescott ceased being a member of the Upper House in July this year after facing health problems.

Official records show he has spoken in parliament only once since suffering a stroke in 2019 and has not voted since February 2023.

During a parliamentary career that spanned more than half a century, Lord Prescott served as deputy prime minister for 10 years following Labour’s overwhelming majority at the 1997 general election.

A sometimes hothead, he famously punched a protester who threw an egg at him during a campaign visit to North Wales in 2001.

But for much of his time in office he served as a mediator in the often turbulent relationship between Sir Tony and Chancellor Gordon Brown.

He also oversaw the environment, transportation, and territories; this briefing included helping negotiate the international Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

Lord Prescott was a staunch supporter of Sir Tony while in office but later criticized parts of New Labour’s legacy and condemned Britain’s involvement in the Iraq War.

He also strongly defended Jeremy Corbyn in the face of harsh criticism during his time as party leader.

Born on 31 May 1938 in Prestatyn, Wales, the son of a railway worker, Lord Prescott left school at 15 to work as a trainee chef before entering politics and then working as a cabin boy on the Cunard Line.

In a private letter in 2007, Sir Tony said his former deputy’s role of “solving problems, solving colleagues and troubleshooting” was “integral to getting things done”.

The former prime minister said: “Prescott’s entirely unique blend of charm and ferocity – made all the more effective by the preponderance of unpredictability – has stood you in good stead for a decade, kept the government together and, above all, given me great fun. Thank you for being my deputy.” I’m lucky.”