John Prescott, Hull East’s MP for 40 years, has been described as “a colossus”, “a true giant of the Labour movement” and as “truly unique”.
He was Britain’s longest-serving deputy prime minister and a stalwart Labour politician with strong links to unions. Hull’s trio of Labour MPs have all paid tribute to him, as has Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
John Prescott has also had warm words from political counterparts and organisations in Hull that he made a significant difference to. In announcing his death, the family of John Prescott have asked in lieu of flowers for people, if they wish to do so, to donate to Alzheimer’s Research UK: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/how-you-can-help/donate/ . He had lately been living with Alzheimer’s disease.
‘Staunch defender of working people’
Prime minister Starmer led the tributes to John Prescott, saying he was “deeply saddened” by his death. “John was a true giant of the Labour movement. He was a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist. During a decade as Deputy Prime Minister, he was one of the key architects of a Labour Government that transformed the lives of millions of people across the nation.”
He said his legacy would live on “well beyond his lifetime”. In Parliament, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch also had warm words for John Prescott. “A titan of British politics in the 1990s. One of this country’s greatest examples of social mobility. And a true patriot.”
US former Vice-President Al Gore said John Prescott had “an inherent ability to connect with people”. “I’ve never worked with anyone in politics – on my side of the pond or his – quite like John Prescott.” Former prime minister Gordon Brown said: “John was a friend of mine, he was a colleague, but when you think of him, he was a colossus, he was a titan of the Labour movement.” Former prime minister Tony Blair said he was “feeling devastated” by John Prescott’s death, and praised him for his “fantastic gut instinct about politics”. “There was no-one quite like him in British politics.”
Hull Guildhall had its flag lowered to half mast throughout Thursday, and tributes were made during full council. Before that, Hull City Council leader Liberal Democrat Cllr Mike Ross said: “John was a remarkable figure who had a tremendous impact on the course of the nation.”
Labour group leader Daren Hale said: “John was an absolute giant of the Labour & Trade Union movement, who adored his adopted city, which he served with such distinction.
“Even after his 40 years as MP for Hull East, John participated fully in local life, and we feel personally privileged that he still found time to pop into the Guildhall to see us after catching the bus down from Sutton from time to time.”
Hull KR’s owner Neil Hudgell recollected fond memories of him with “his fantastic humour and stories of his run ins with various world leaders that entertained us all so much in the boardroom on gameday”. John Prescott was on the club’s board between 2006 and 2010. Mr Hudgell called him “a kind, warm and incredibly funny man, who we will greatly miss”.
The University of Hull described him as “a great friend”, and Hull Trains called him “instrumental in our initial establishment”.
All three Hull MPs have praised his contribution to British politics. “John had an unwavering dedication to the people of Hull,” said his Hull East MP successor, Karl Turner, who credited him for getting funding for the Hull tidal barrier. He added, “John’s legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of those he served and the city he loved.”
Hull North and Cottingham’s MP Diana Johnson said he was “a brilliant campaigner” and “always a champion” for the people of his constituency. Hull West and Haltemprice MP Emma Hardy said he was “a unique individual whose ability and determination was recognised and admired across the political divide”.
Final word goes to Alan Johnson, a fellow Hull MP and Cabinet member when John Prescott was deputy prime minister, and his friend, who remembered him on BBC Breakfast. “A lot of what he did was hard slog, and he had so much, and his family have so much, to be proud of.”
Visiting him three weeks ago, Mr Johnson said, “That spark of John, that essence of his energy, personality and huge character was still there.”
