John Prescott RIP

[Zonder]

Whatever your political leaning, it's a sad day for politics. Sad to hear Gordon Brown just now on radio 4 describe him as a Colossus then to hear that he died in a care home with Alzheimer's. Hard to imagine.
Still remembered who people were to the end and kept his warmth and friendliness.

https://www.politics.co.uk/news-feature/2024/11/21/tony-blair-leads-tributes-to-former-deputy-pm-john-prescott/

Let him who is without sin, throw the first punch, as the late great Mr Prescott would have said.

Time and a place, he has only just died, at least wait until the funeral, which is when an obituary would be read.

I loved his put down of Evan Davis on R4...

Was he? No wonder he dealt with that egg thrower so efficiently.

Agree ,@Alexandra2001 There isn't a politician alive or dead who is squeaky clean.

I think Blair looked rather choked up this morning. He did owe Prescott his political career as PM.

No, obituaries are largely pre-written - they’re all over the media already, as you know.

Ahh yes, the standard "if you don't agree with me, you must be right wing" narrative that continuously damages the left.

Yes. He learned to box in the Merchant Navy.

He hit that guy with a technically proficient punch. Obviously he should not have done it, but nor should the guy have smashed an egg on his head.

Sad to hear this.

He wasn't perfect. None of us are. But I believe that he was a decent man who worked incredibly hard to make the world better, and I salute him for that. RIP.

Very sad news. A real, relatable human being who had conviction and charisma - qualities rarely seen among today’s politicians. RIP.

Very sorry to see this news. John Prescott was an excellent orator - I heard him speak at a lot of events over the years and he could really enthuse the crowd, as well as making you think.

I was hit by an egg thrown from a car shortly after the infamous incident. I was surprised how much it hurt and how much it felt like a stone - after that I could understand why he’d had the reaction he did.

He was very entertaining on Twitter back in the day. There was a wonderful exchange where he mentioned crossing the Atlantic by ship and someone wrote a very nasty reply about rich people forgetting their roots. He pointed out he had crossed as a cabin steward.

I actually admired him for the punch: it was expertly executed, and in response to someone meting out a violent acts towards him; he was not the aggressor. Defending yourself does not indicate a "penchant for violence".

RIP. He was a colourful character with deep political convictions, and we are all the poorer for his loss. Some lovely tributes on R4 this morning.

I was sad to read this. I loved his straight, plain speaking and wish more politicians were like him.

I thought Blair looked properly upset too. Prescott was a massive figure, as pp said imagine the stability of a DPM on post for ten years.

Anyone remember the bus lane he created on the M4. That didn't last long

Oh, that is sad. I liked him, definitely a colourful character. Rest in Peace John P.

He apparently called Mandelson shortly before he died to say sorry for being difficult! I think some of us will remember Peter the Crab and their antipathy. But the gesture reflects well on him

There isn't a human being alive or dead who is squeaky clean! I didn't warm to Prescott, but I admire the fact that he worked very hard to get on in life. I'm sorry that his last years were clouded by Alzheimer's. Very tough on all concerned. RIP.

Heseltine was just on the radio paying warm tribute. On a shallow note, these titan politicians popping up and being articulate now makes me realise they were in their thirties in their heyday. I honestly thought they were ancient in the 80s.

BT gave Maureen Lipman a red telephone box in honour of her 'ology' adverts. A daughter of Hull! It should have been cream.

Not my politics,but he stood up for what he believed in and spoke his mind.
A characteristic lacking in today’s politicians.

I’m sorry to hear this. Lovely tribute from Gordon Brown on R4.

One of his quotes

A properly authentic politician, they don’t make them like him any more. It was so sad that he ended up in a care home with Alzheimer’s. Peace at last.