Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has died aged 86 following a battle with Alzheimer’s, his family has announced.
His family said he had “spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment”.
The former trade union activist and ex-merchant seaman died “peacefully” and surrounded by relatives at his care home, they said.
Lord Prescott was a key figure of Sir Tony Blair’s New Labour project, seen by many as custodian of the party’s traditional values in the face of a modernising leadership.
Sir Tony has said he was “devastated” by Lord Prescott’s death, described his deputy as “one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics”.
“It is no exaggeration to say the Labour Party could never have won three consecutive full terms without John,” he said.
Lord Prescott was ennobled in 2010 and introduced to the upper chamber as Baron Prescott of Kingston upon Hull having served for four decades as an MP for the city.
In a statement released after his death, his wife Pauline and sons Johnathan and David said that representing the people of Hull had been “his greatest honour”.
“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 so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery.
“John spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment, doing so from his time as a waiter on the cruise liners to becoming Britain’s longest serving deputy prime minister.
“John dearly loved his home of Hull and representing its people in Parliament for 40 years was his greatest honour. We would like to thank the amazing NHS doctors and nurses who cared for him after his stroke in 2019 and the dedicated staff at the care home where he passed away after latterly living with Alzheimer’s.
“In lieu of flowers and if you wish to do so, you can donate to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
“As you can imagine, our family needs to process our grief so we respectfully request time and space to mourn in private. Thank you.”
Paying tribute to Lord Prescott, former prime minister Sir Tony said: “Although we all knew that the end was approaching and was inevitable, I am devastated by John's passing. He was one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics; one of the most committed and loyal; and definitely the most unusual.
“There was nothing about John which fitted conventional wisdom. He was from proud traditional working class stock yet understood instinctively and completely the aspirations of that class and their desire to better themselves.
“He was liberal and tolerant, yet instantly intolerant of any overly liberal middle class dismissal of the misery suffered by poor inner city communities from crime and drug abuse. He could talk in the bluntest and sometimes bluest language, but it concealed a first rate intellect which meant he thought as deeply about issues as much as he cared about them.
“It is no exaggeration to say the Labour Party could never have won three consecutive full terms without John. He was a commanding presence. He represented the wing of the party which was not New Labour, but he did it in a way which never reduced the effectiveness of our appeal and indeed extended it, broadening the base of our support.
“He had extraordinary accomplishments: he revived many of Britain's inner cities, was responsible for the refurbishment of thousands of council homes, the revival of British shipping, completed the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, established the Coalfield Communities Trust to breathe life back into villages and towns affected by the closure of mines; and was Britain's lead negotiator for the Kyoto climate treaty, 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 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.
“So much of John's work set the path for those of us fortunate enough to follow. From leading climate negotiations to fighting regional inequality, his legacy will live on well beyond his lifetime.
I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of John Prescott.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) November 21, 2024
John was a true giant of the Labour movement.
On behalf of the Labour Party, I send my condolences to Pauline and his family, to the city of Hull, and to all those who knew and loved him.
May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/evQe4GBoI9
“Across the Labour Party and the union movement he will be remembered for his conviction, courage, and strength of character. His passion, force of personality and pride in his working class roots was key to his authenticity - an honesty that was recognised and respected across the political divide and across the nation.
“On behalf of the Labour Party, I send my condolences to Pauline and all his family, to the city of Hull which he served as MP for 40 years, and to all those who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace.”
Lord Prescott ceased to be a member of the upper House in July this year after facing health difficulties.
He had only spoken once in the chamber since suffering a stroke in 2019, official records show, and had not voted since February 2023.
Over a parliamentary career spanning more than half a century, Lord Prescott served for 10 years as deputy prime minister after Labour’s 1997 general election landslide.
At times short-tempered, he once famously punched a protester who threw an egg at him during an election campaign visit to North Wales in 2001.
But during much of his time in office, he acted as a mediator in the often turbulent relationship between Sir Tony and chancellor Gordon Brown.
He also oversaw the environment, transport and the regions, a brief which included helping to negotiate the international Kyoto Protocol on climate change.
21 years ago today. 🦊🥚👊 https://t.co/AtJDf4VtUC
— John Prescott (@johnprescott) May 16, 2022
Lord Prescott was a loyal supporter of Sir Tony in office but subsequently critical of parts of New Labour’s legacy, denouncing Britain’s involvement in the Iraq War.
He also strongly defended Jeremy Corbyn during his time as party leader in the face of fierce criticism.
Born in Prestatyn in Wales on May 31 1938 the son of a railwayman, Lord Prescott left school at the age of 15 to work as a trainee chef and then as a steward on the Cunard Line before entering politics.
In a private letter in 2007, Sir Tony said his former deputy’s role “smoothing out problems, sorting out colleagues and trouble-shooting” had been an “integral part of getting things done”.
The former prime minister said: “The completely unique Prescott blend of charm and brutality – made always more effective by the unpredictability of which would be predominant – got you through the decade, kept the government together and above all, gave me a lot of fun. I was lucky to have you as my deputy.”
