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John Prescott, Britain\u2019s former Deputy Prime Minister under Tony Blair and a key figure in transforming the Labour Party, has died at the age of 86, his family announced on Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away yesterday (Wednesday) at the age of 86,\u201d the family\u2019s statement read.<\/p>\n

Prescott served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007 during Blair\u2019s transformative Labour government, which delivered a landslide election victory in 1997.<\/p>\n

A working-class politician and former trade union activist, Prescott balanced Blair\u2019s centrist policies by representing Labour\u2019s traditional left-wing base.<\/p>\n

Blair expressed his grief, calling Prescott \u201cirreplaceable\u201d and a unique presence in British politics.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no one quite like him,\u201d Blair said, noting Prescott\u2019s critical role in keeping the Labour government cohesive.<\/p>\n

Prescott was a prominent figure in global climate diplomacy, leading the UK\u2019s negotiations for the landmark 1997 Kyoto Protocol on climate change.<\/p>\n

Former US Vice President Al Gore paid tribute to Prescott as a \u201cdear friend\u201d and \u201cunwavering champion of climate action,\u201d stating his role in shaping global environmental policy.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe fought like hell to negotiate the Kyoto Protocol and continued to champion climate action for decades,\u201d Gore said.<\/p>\n

Keir Starmer, the current Labour Prime Minister, called Prescott a \u201ctrue giant of the Labour movement,\u201d praising his legacy in tackling regional inequality and environmental issues.<\/p>\n

Gordon Brown, who succeeded Blair, described Prescott as a \u201ccolossus\u201d and credited him with elevating environmental concerns in government policy.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was probably the first government minister to see the importance of the environment, and the 1997 Kyoto agreement is a testament to his hard work,\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n

Prescott, a former merchant seaman, represented Hull in northern England as a Member of Parliament for 40 years. Known for his plain-speaking and fiery personality, he once famously punched a protester who threw an egg at him during a campaign stop in Wales.<\/p>\n

In recent years, Prescott suffered a stroke in 2019 and battled Alzheimer\u2019s disease. He passed away peacefully in a care home surrounded by his family and jazz music, according to his wife Pauline and their two sons.<\/p>\n

Prescott was appointed to the House of Lords after leaving Parliament but stepped back from his duties in July due to his declining health.<\/p>\n

As Blair once remarked in a letter to Prescott, his \u201cunique blend of charm and brutality\u201d was instrumental in keeping the government together and delivering for the nation.<\/p>\n

Former UK deputy PM John Prescott dies at 86<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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