John Prescott Dies at 86, Labour Icon Remembered Globally

|By Adejumo Adekunle –

John Prescott, Britain’s former Deputy Prime Minister and a pivotal figure in transforming the Labour Party, has died at 86, his family announced on Thursday. “We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully yesterday,” the statement read.

Prescott served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007 during Tony Blair’s transformative Labour government, where he bridged the gap between Blair’s centrist policies and Labour’s traditional left-wing roots. Blair described him as “irreplaceable,” praising his ability to keep the government cohesive and his larger-than-life presence in politics. “There was no one quite like him,” Blair said.

Prescott played a pivotal role in global climate diplomacy, notably leading the UK’s negotiations for the landmark 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Former US Vice President Al Gore hailed him as a “dear friend” and an “unwavering champion of climate action.” Keir Starmer, Labour’s current leader, called him a “true giant” who tackled environmental and regional inequality with passion.

Known for his fiery personality, plain-speaking style, and commitment to the working class, Prescott represented Hull for 40 years in Parliament. He once famously punched a protester during a campaign in Wales, a moment that captured his combative spirit.

In his later years, Prescott battled Alzheimer’s disease and suffered a stroke in 2019. He passed away surrounded by family and jazz music in a care home. Gordon Brown described him as a “colossus,” crediting him with elevating environmental concerns in government. As Blair once wrote, Prescott’s “unique blend of charm and brutality” defined his enduring legacy.