John Prescott, the former deputy prime minister of Britain under Tony Blair from 1997 to 2007, has passed away at the age of 86 after a battle with Alzheimer’s. He was known for bridging the gap between traditional left-wing and modernizers in the Labour Party, as well as being a plain-speaking politician with a reputation as a “bruiser” due to an incident where he punched a member of the public who threw an egg at him during an election campaign in 2001.
Prescott, born in Wales in 1938, worked his way up through the ranks of the Labour Party, serving as a key player in the party’s election victories during Blair’s tenure. Despite some controversies, including a public acknowledgment of a long extramarital affair in 2006, Prescott was highly regarded by Blair and others for his talents in politics and his contributions to the party.
One of Prescott’s major accomplishments was his work on negotiating the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, which was praised by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. Prescott’s family described him as someone who dedicated his life to improving the lives of others, fighting for social justice and environmental protection. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pauline, and two sons. Blair, Gore, and other political figures have paid tribute to Prescott, acknowledging his unique qualities as a politician and his commitment to making a difference in the world.
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