Although it is a cliche to call someone a giant of their profession, it is an apt description of Lord John Prescott, who has died at the age of 86. He was a giant of the Labour movement who played a vital role in supporting Tony Blair in leading the party into government after 18 years in opposition. As Blair has said in his own tribute, “it is no exaggeration to say the Labour Party could never have won three consecutive full terms without John”.
Prescott was an MP for 40 years and subsequently a member of the House of Lords for a further 14. Despite suggesting that he had no desire for one, he accepted a peerage in 2010 in order to continue contributing on environmental policy and to use the red benches as a platform for campaigning.
He remained an active peer even after suffering a stroke in 2019. Although he spoke in debates less after this time, he continued to vote in divisions until February last year. His departure from the House of Lords in July 2024 brought to an end a 54-year career in parliament.
