John Prescott, Former UK Deputy Prime Minister, Passes Away at 86

John Leslie Prescott, Baron Prescott, a prominent British politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, passed away on November 20, 2024, at the age of 86. Prescott was a key figure in British politics, serving as Deputy Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007 and as First Secretary of State from 2001 to 2007 under the Labour government led by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Prescott was a member of the Labour Party and represented the constituency of Kingston upon Hull East in the House of Commons for 40 years, from 1970 to 2010. He was known for his strong connection to the working class and played a crucial role in mediating the often tense relationship between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown within the Labour Party.

After retiring from Parliament in 2010, Prescott was elevated to the House of Lords as a life peer. He continued to be involved in politics, albeit briefly, serving as an adviser to Labour leader Ed Miliband in February 2015. Prescott also stood as the Labour candidate for the first police and crime commissioner for Humberside Police in 2012 but lost the election.

Prescott’s career was marked by his outspoken and sometimes confrontational style. He was a vocal critic of the Iraq War, expressing doubts about its legality and the intelligence used to justify it during the Chilcot Inquiry in 2010. Following the publication of the Chilcot Report in 2016, Prescott declared that the invasion by UK and US forces was “illegal”.

Outside of politics, Prescott had a diverse career, including time in the Merchant Navy where he avoided National Service and worked for Cunard. He also pursued higher education at Ruskin College and the University of Hull, obtaining degrees in economics and economic history.

Prescott passed away peacefully at his care home, surrounded by his relatives. His legacy as a formidable and principled politician continues to be remembered in British political circles.