John Prescott dies aged 86

The Labour stalwart, proud Welshman, and adopted Northerner died on 20 November, following a distinguished career that helped to reshape cities and regional development.

His working class roots and no-nonsense attitude shaped his politics and his reputation, and he was seen as a vital link between traditionalist and modern Labour politicians and voters.

Construction and the North

Prescott was behind the Urban Task Force, established by the department of environment, transport, and regions in 1998. Then deputy Prime Minister, Prescott chose architect Lord Rogers as chair, following his work on the book Cities for a small planet.

The purpose of the Urban Task Force and the Rogers Report, ‘Towards an urban renaissance’, published in 1999 was to identify and fix the reasons for urban decline, with the vision of making cities desirable places to live.

The policies and funding that flowed as a result were credited with the regeneration of British cities, introducing canal-side apartments, cafe-lined squares, and the redevelopment of brownfield sites with high-density flats. The principles helped to define urban regeneration across Britain for decades to come.

Prescott was also a firm believer in regionalism as an economic driver and was the policy-maker for regional development agencies, created to assign more powers to local areas in an attempt to reduce the economic divide between North and South. His work helped pump millions of pounds into thousands of projects, and helped underpin the regeneration sector for a generation.

In 2012, following a change of government, the Conservative Lord Heseltine published a report ‘No stone unturned: in pursuit of growth’, which aimed to improve the UK’s economy and create a stable environment. Despite cross-party divides, the government listened to advice from the previous incumbents and responded with the first steps towards the devolution and Combined Local Authorities that we recognise today.

Recommendations included devolution of central funding streams into Local Economic Partnerships; more funding for the already established Regional Growth Fund; and support for local authorities who wanted to create a combined authority.

Backed by Prescott, these actions have shaped today’s political landscape in the North and across the country.

Prescott was also a huge advocate for the ‘town centres first’ approach, arguing that out of town retail parks were detrimental to high streets.

‘John is John’

Born in North Wales on 31 May 1938 to a working-class family, Prescott moved to West Yorkshire at the age of four. At age 15 he left school and worked as a steward on a liner and in trade unions before eventually, in 1962, obtaining a diploma in economics and politics from Ruskin College, Oxford, and then graduating from the University of Hull with an economics degree.

He officially entered politics in 1970 as MP for Kingston upon Hull East, a role that he retained for 40 years until 2007.

During his political career, he served as deputy prime minister under Tony Blair from 1997 to 2007, and as first secretary of state from 2001 to 2007.

Not all of Prescott’s decisions or actions were without controversy.

He faced opposition over his plans to demolish 200,000 homes across the North of England, which, Lord Rogers and others said, should have been renovated instead.

He also faced opposition to his policy of creating elected regional assemblies to devolve powers and foster economic growth – his attempt to create one in the North East was rejected by 78% in a 2004 referendum amid claims that it would add to bureaucracy. Many in property were and remain fans of regional plans.

The infamous egg incident, when he punched a protester who threw an egg at him, cemented his reputation as a no-nonsense politician. His robust personality allowed this to be something he was as praised for as much as he was criticised – Tony Blair’s public response of ‘John is John’ summed up his straightforward attitude towards politics and life.

As well as a pivotal and central part of Labour party history, he also died a husband, father, and grandfather, who throughout his life made a huge impact on the North’s politics and built environment.

Condolences

Commemorating Prescott, the Leader of Hull City Council, Cllr Mike Ross, said: “John was a remarkable figure who had a tremendous impact on the course of the nation.

“He was an extremely significant figure in the Labour government of Tony Blair, who oversaw important changes to how the country was run.

“He was, though, always committed to his constituency and the city of Hull and there are many organisations in the city that benefited from his help and assistance.”

The leader of the Labour Group on Hull City Council, Cllr Daren Hale, said: “John was an absolute giant of the Labour & Trade Union movement, who adored his adopted city, which he served with such distinction.

“Even after his 40 years as MP for Hull East, John participated fully in local life, and we feel personally privileged that he still found time to pop into the Guildhall to see us after catching the bus down from Sutton from time to time.

“He is a local, national and international political legend and will be so sadly missed.”

The chief executive of Hull City Council, Matt Jukes, said: “I first met John when working as director of the Port of Hull.

“Given his Merchant Navy history, this was always very close to his heart, especially the increasing role the city plays in the green energy revolution with our wind turbine blade factory, which he was extremely proud of.

“Latterly, working with John through my role with the council, he was always very focussed on how the city and region could work with business to create investment and employment opportunities for our people and, even when he retired, he remained very active and would help in any way he could.

“John was a giant in politics and always a vocal and effective champion for the city of Hull.”