By Abiola Olawale
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, among other prominent personalities, have penned their respective heartfelt tributes to former deputy prime minister of the UK, John Prescott, who passed away at the age of 86 years.
The passing of Prescott was announced in a press statement released by his family.
The statement disclosed that Prescott had passed away following a battle with Alzheimer’s.
Prescott’s family said he had “spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment”.
The statement added that Prescott, a former trade union activist and ex-merchant seaman died “peacefully” surrounded by relatives at his care home.
The statement reads in part: “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. 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.
“Instead 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.”
In his reaction, Former prime minister Sir Tony said he was “devastated” by Prescott’s death.
In his tribute, Tony described Prescott as the most talented politician in the UK.
He said: “He was one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics; one of the most committed and loyal; and the most unusual.
“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, 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.
“John Lennon said the working class hero is a difficult thing to be, but I think John would be just fine with being remembered that way. He wanted the good things in life for everyone and not just himself. And he showed that Britain can be a country where if you work hard, you can fulfil your potential.”
Also, Prime Minister Keir Starmer dubbed Mr Prescott a “true giant of Labour”, saying his legacy will “live on far beyond his lifetime”.
He said: “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 far beyond his lifetime.
“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.”
