ST HELENS' MPs have paid tribute to "political titan" after the death of former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
A key figure of the New Labour project, Lord Prescott died aged 86 following a battle with Alzheimer’s.
The former trade union activist and ex-merchant seaman died “peacefully” and surrounded by relatives at his care home, his family said.
He was seen by many as a custodian of the Labour Party’s traditional values in the face of a modernising leadership during the New Labour era.
Lord Prescott was ennobled in 2010 and introduced to the upper chamber as Baron Prescott of Kingston upon Hull having served for four decades as an MP in the city, representing East Hull.
He had connections to St Helens, with his father hailing from the town.
This was something the former deputy Prime Minister referenced in a tribute to his namesake former Saints and Hull rugby league player the late Steve Prescott MBE, featured in Steve's autobiography One In A Million, which outlined his inspirational cancer battle.
In this, John said: "Steve Prescott was a wonderful adopted son of Hull. Although I never met him, I greatly admired him so was surprised and delighted when he asked me to write a tribute.
"One question hangs in the air from our shared surname. My father was from St Helens before he moved to Liverpool, so I may have had family there.
"It is a shame I never got the chance to ask him if we could have been related - I would like to think somewhere we were because if you wanted to be related to someone it would be a man like Steve Prescott."
John was a supporter of rugby league, especially Hull KR, and was the chief guest at the 1997 Challenge Cup Final, days after becoming deputy prime minister, when he presented the trophy to Saints after they had beaten Bradford Bulls at Wembley.
St Helens MPs pay tribute to 'monumental figure'
St Helens South & Whiston MP Marie Rimmer said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of John Prescott.
"John was a monumental figure in the Labour and Trade Union movements, and an unwavering public servant. His commitment to his Hull constituents and to the working people of our nation will forever be remembered and admired.
"He was one of the first to show what northern, working-class individuals could achieve in our political system, not only because of his principle and intelligence, but also because of his second-to-none character, wit and humour.
"It is safe to say that he was never stuck for words. Thank you for paving the way for so many of us, John. John’s legacy and values will continue to inspire us all. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.”
Meanwhile, St Helens North MP David Baines said: "John Prescott was a political titan.
"He was a proud working class Labour man, and he had absolutely no time for the populist Reform nonsense we see in some places now, peddled by millionaires pretending to be on the side of working people.
"He knew our communities are best represented by Labour and he was never shy in saying so.
"In decades of public service he made a hugely positive difference.
"My thoughts and sympathy are with his family and all who knew him."
If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of St Helens. Please get in touch at simon.mulligan@newsquest.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel