Former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott dies aged 86

Former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott has died aged 86, following a battle with Alzheimer’s, his family has announced.

The former trade union activist and ex-merchant seaman served as MP for Kingston upon Hull East for 40 years and was a key part of New Labour under Sir Tony Blair.

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

Lord Prescott died peacefully, surrounded by relatives at his care home on 20 November.

Read more: Labour’s pugnacious stalwart who pulled no punches

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”.

They said: “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.

“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.”

They continued: “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.

“Pauline, Johnathan and David Prescott.”

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‘A great man and great servant of country and party’

Lord Prescott served as deputy leader under Sir Tony and was seen by many as a key link to the party’s traditional working-class values amid the modernising push.

The two of them became known as “the odd couple”.

Paying tribute, Sir Tony said he was “devastated” by news of Lord Prescott’s death.

Sir Tony described him as “one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics” who could “talk in the bluntest and sometimes bluest language”.

He added: “He was from proud traditional working-class stock yet understood instinctively and completely the aspirations of that class and their desire to better themselves.

“It is no exaggeration to say the Labour Party could never have won three consecutive full terms without John.”

Sir Tony continued: “Underneath what could be a fierce exterior, and a manner some undoubtedly found intimidating, beat a loving, kind and compassionate human heart.

“John was as good a friend as you could ever hope to have, with a deep sensitivity, even vulnerability.

“He will deservedly occupy a special place in the pantheon of the Labour leadership; he will be mourned by his many friends and fans around the world and for me personally, today is a day of profound sadness but also immense pride in having known him and worked with him: a great man and great servant of country and Party.”

Lord Prescott famously punched a protester who threw an egg at him during an election campaign visit in North Wales in 2001.

During much of his time in office, Lord Prescott acted as a mediator between Sir Tony and then-chancellor Gordon Brown.

He also served as secretary of state for the environment, transport and regions and helped negotiate the international climate change treaty the Kyoto Protocol.

Former US vice president Al Gore worked with Lord Prescott on the Kyoto Protocol in 1997.

He said he had “never worked with anyone in politics – on my side of the pond or his – quite like John Prescott”.

He added: “He 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.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” to hear the news of Lord Prescott’s death.

While a loyal supporter of Sir Tony in office, Lord Prescott subsequently became critical of parts of the legacy left behind by New Labour.

This included denouncing Britain’s involvement in the Iraq War.

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

He was ennobled in 2010 but ceased to be a member of the upper House in July after facing health difficulties.

He had only spoken once in the chamber since suffering a stroke in 2019, and had not voted since February 2023.

Born in Prestatyn, Wales, on 31 May 1938, the son of a railwayman left school aged 15 to work as a trainee chef, then as a steward on the Cunard Line before entering politics in a career that spanned decades.