Key moments from the career of John Prescott

John Prescott, a steadfast figure in the Labour Party who transitioned from working as a steward on an ocean liner to holding the position of deputy prime minister for an unprecedented decade, has passed away at 86 years old. Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, both former prime ministers, were among those who paid tribute to Lord Prescott, recognizing him as one of the most vibrant political personalities of his time. Below are seven of the most notable events from his life. Having served as a Labour MP since 1970 and after two unsuccessful bids for the party’s deputy leadership, Prescott took the stage at the party conference in Brighton in 1993 to deliver what would be considered his most significant speech. At that time, Labour leader John Smith was attempting to implement contentious reforms to adopt a one-member-one-vote system for selecting parliamentary candidates, facing considerable resistance from numerous trade unions who perceived this as diminishing their influence. With Smith’s leadership potentially at stake due to impending defeat, he enlisted Prescott, a dedicated trade unionist, to persuade undecided members. Although he later gained a reputation for verbal gaffes, Prescott’s delivery at the conference was a powerful and emotional display. He declared, “There is no doubt that this man, our leader, put his head on the block… He has put his head there, now it is time to vote. Give us a little trust.” This moment marked a turning point. Following Smith’s death just over six months later, Prescott was, on his third try, elected deputy Labour leader and subsequently became deputy prime minister in 1997. In December 1997, the United Kingdom’s delegation, headed by the deputy prime minister, was instrumental in reaching an agreement on the pivotal Kyoto Protocol concerning climate change. This accord marked the first instance where almost all UN member states pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, acknowledging the scientific consensus that human-generated CO2 contributes to global warming. The discussions in Japan extended well beyond their scheduled conclusion, raising concerns that no resolution would be achieved. Al Gore, then-US Vice-President and a climate advocate, stated that Prescott “fought like hell” for the agreement and was “an unwavering champion of climate action for decades to come.” Gore further noted that Prescott “possessed an inherent ability to connect with people about the issues that mattered to them – a talent that others spend years studying and cultivating, but that was second nature to him.” Prescott himself indicated that if he were to be remembered for a single event, it would be his physical altercation during the 2001 general election campaign. The 2001 general election campaign is largely recalled for this incident, as the Labour Party secured another term in office with a Commons majority nearly as substantial as that of four years prior. Upon his arrival at a party rally in Rhyl, Denbighshire, a pro-hunting demonstrator struck Prescott on the head with an egg. With television cameras recording, the deputy prime minister retaliated with a left hook. A brief altercation followed, which was swiftly diffused by onlookers and law enforcement. Alastair Campbell, Blair’s communications director, advised Prescott to issue a public apology, but he declined. During a press conference the next morning, Blair commented that it would have been preferable had the event not occurred, adding: “John is John.” The episode seemingly had no adverse effect on either Prescott’s or Labour’s public approval ratings. The media bestowed the moniker “two Jags” upon Prescott following disclosures that he utilized two Jaguar vehicles—one personally owned and the other a government-issued ministerial car. At the Labour conference in Bournemouth in 1999, his official vehicle transported him a mere 250 yards from his hotel to the conference venue. Subsequently, while on stage as environment and transport secretary, he advocated for motorists to reduce their carbon emissions by opting for public transportation. He later explained that the brief car journey was due to his wife, Pauline, preferring not to have her hair disturbed by the wind on the seafront. In 2021, Lord Prescott announced his decision to make his “own small contribution to cutting carbon emissions.” He stated in The Times, “I am now zero Jags – selling a car or eating fish and chips with a lower carbon footprint alone won’t save the planet, but as the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said: ‘Great acts are made up of small deeds’.” His son, David, informed the BBC that his father had permanently ceased using cars. Upon assuming the role of deputy prime minister in 1997, Prescott was also assigned an extensive portfolio as secretary of state for the newly established Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. In 2001, this department was reorganized, with distinct departments for environment, food and rural affairs, and for transport being separated. A key interest for Prescott was the concept of devolution for England’s regions, mirroring the arrangements in Scotland and Wales, although the proposed elected regional assemblies would have possessed more limited authority. Due to significant opposition to his proposals, a referendum was conducted in 2004 in the North-East region, where support was anticipated to be highest. The outcome was a considerable disappointment for Prescott, with 78% of votes cast opposing devolution. Dominic Cummings, then a young strategist, orchestrated the successful No campaign, experimenting with strategies and messages that he would later employ in the 2016 Brexit referendum. Prescott’s initiative for elected regional assemblies was subsequently abandoned. Despite this, Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and a cabinet minister during Gordon Brown’s tenure, credited Prescott with being the first to elevate the political standing of the north of England and laying the groundwork for subsequent devolution to metro mayors. Prescott made a brief appearance in the popular television comedy Gavin & Stacey in 2010. During the third series of the BBC program, Ruth Jones’s character, Nessa Jenkins