John Prescott
Overview
John Leslie Prescott, Baron Prescott (born 31 May 1938) is a British
politician who was Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
from 1997 to 2007. Born in Prestatyn
, Wales
, he represented Hull East
as the Labour
Member of Parliament
from 1970
to 2010. In the 1994 leadership election
he stood for both Leader and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
, winning election to the latter office. He was appointed Deputy Prime Minister after Labour's victory in the 1997 election
, with an expanded brief as Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
.
A former ship's steward
and trade union
activist, by the 1980s he was presented as the political link to the working class in a Labour Party increasingly led by modernising, middle-class professionals.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
politician who was Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a senior member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom. The office of the Deputy Prime Minister is not a permanent position, existing only at the discretion of the Prime Minister, who may appoint to other offices...
from 1997 to 2007. Born in Prestatyn
Prestatyn
Prestatyn is a seaside resort, town and community in Denbighshire, North Wales. It is located on the Irish Sea coast, to the east of Rhyl. At the 2001 Census, Prestatyn had a population of 18,496.-Prehistory:...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, he represented Hull East
Kingston upon Hull East (UK Parliament constituency)
Kingston upon Hull East is a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- Boundaries :...
as the Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
from 1970
United Kingdom general election, 1970
The United Kingdom general election of 1970 was held on 18 June 1970, and resulted in a surprise victory for the Conservative Party under leader Edward Heath, who defeated the Labour Party under Harold Wilson. The election also saw the Liberal Party and its new leader Jeremy Thorpe lose half their...
to 2010. In the 1994 leadership election
Labour Party (UK) leadership election, 1994
A leadership election was held on 21 July 1994 for the Labour Party in the United Kingdom, after the sudden death of incumbent leader John Smith. The 1994 election would ultimately decide not only Labour's new leader, but also the next Prime Minister...
he stood for both Leader and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
Deputy Leader of the British Labour Party
The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party is a senior politician in the British Labour Party. The post is currently held by Harriet Harman, who was elected deputy on 24 June 2007...
, winning election to the latter office. He was appointed Deputy Prime Minister after Labour's victory in the 1997 election
United Kingdom general election, 1997
The United Kingdom general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997, more than five years after the previous election on 9 April 1992, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party ended its 18 years in opposition under the leadership of Tony Blair, and won the general...
, with an expanded brief as Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions was a UK Cabinet position created in 1997, with responsibility for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions ....
.
A former ship's steward
Steward's Assistant
A steward's assistant is an unlicensed, entry-level crewmember in the Steward's department of a merchant ship. This position can also be referred to as steward , galley utilityman, messman, supply or waiter.The role of the SA consists mainly of stocking, cleaning and assisting with the...
and trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
activist, by the 1980s he was presented as the political link to the working class in a Labour Party increasingly led by modernising, middle-class professionals.
Quotations
I will have failed in this if in five years there are not many more people using public transport and far fewer journeys by car. It is a tall order but I want you to hold me to it.
Paul Brown, "Prescott points buses to fast lane", The Guardian, 6 June 1997, p. 10.
The Green Belt is a Labour achievement - and we mean to build on it.
"Passing Comment", The Times, 31 January 1998
When I see that man on the telly - 'Are you thinking what I'm thinking?' No! I'm definitely not! I find most of it quite offensive!
Oliver Burkeman, "Election 2005: Aggressive and voluble - but the real thing", The Guardian, 21 April 2005, p. 6.
Why are you asking me about this, I don't care, it's a Welsh situation, I'm a national politician.
To a journalist from the Western Mail on being asked questions about Wales during the 2005 general election.
Where do they get these amateurs from? You're an amateur mate, go get on your bus, go home.
To a journalist from the Western Mail on being asked questions about Wales during the 2005 general election.
Bugger off - get on your bus, you amateur.
To a journalist from the Western Mail on being asked questions about Wales during the 2005 general election.