John Prescott, former UK deputy prime minister, dies aged 86

John Prescott, the erstwhile British lawman Prime Minister for a decennary nether Tony Blair and a cardinal fig of the New Labour movement, has died aged 86.

Prescott died connected Wednesday successful a attraction location "surrounded by the emotion of his household and the jazz euphony of Marian Montgomery,” his household said. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. 

Known for his dedication to societal justice, Prescott was an important fig successful British politics, serving arsenic lawman premier curate from 1997 to 2007. A erstwhile vessel steward and commercialized unionist, Prescott brought working-class authenticity to Blair’s New Labour government. 

Blair called him “one of the astir talented, committed, and loyal radical I ever encountered successful politics, and decidedly the astir unusual".

Born successful Wales successful 1938, Prescott near schoolhouse astatine 15, aboriginal entering authorities via the commercialized national movement. 

Representing his hometown Hull successful parliament for much than 40 years, helium was a arrogant advocator for working-class Britain, unapologetically enjoying life’s luxuries contempt media disapproval that nicknamed him “Two Jags” for owning 2 Jaguar cars. 

An amateur boxer, Prescott dominated the beforehand pages during the 2001 wide predetermination wherever helium punched a antheral who threw an ovum astatine him astatine a campaigning event.

The incidental concisely threatened to harm some the Labour Party and Prescott’s career. Yet Blair’s effect — "John is John" — solidified Prescott’s estimation arsenic a relatable figure. And the tabloids had a tract day, labelling him with different nickname: "Two Jabs".

Prescott’s biggest achievements see co-negotiating the 1997 Kyoto Protocol connected clime alteration alongside then-US Vice President Al Gore.

Gore praised him arsenic an "unwavering champion of clime action", saying: "I’m everlastingly grateful to John for his committedness to solving the clime crisis".

Prescott besides played an important relation successful uniting New Labour’s factions, smoothing tensions betwixt Blair and his Treasury main Gordon Brown during captious moments, including Blair's determination to enactment the US-led penetration of Iraq successful 2003. 

Brown, who succeeded Blair arsenic premier minister, described Prescott arsenic "a existent working-class hero".

Prescott’s household said helium spent his beingness “trying to amended the lives of others, warring for societal justness and protecting the environment.” Former colleagues, including Peter Mandelson, remembered him arsenic the “cement that kept New Labour together".