'Labour giant John Prescott has set a path that I am proud to follow'

'Becoming Deputy PM was the proudest time of John Prescott's beingness - not due to the fact that of the presumption helium had achieved, but due to the fact that of the alteration helium was astir to deliver,' writes Angela Rayner

Through his fractional a period of nationalist work and a decennary arsenic Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott was driven by his Labour values to service moving people.

Fiercely arrogant of his moving people and commercialized national roots, helium ne'er mislaid show of who helium came into authorities to serve. He utilized the accidental helium was fixed to alteration the lives of millions of moving people.

Becoming Deputy Prime Minister was the proudest time of his life. Not due to the fact that of the presumption helium had achieved, but due to the fact that of the alteration helium was astir to deliver.

John knew that the constituent of the Labour Party was to triumph powerfulness to amended lives. He acceptable a way that I americium arrogant to follow. The grounds helium leaves arsenic Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State successful the Labour authorities aft 1997 volition beryllium his lasting bequest to communities crossed Britain and the world.

The transportation of economical and societal regeneration of our nations and regions. His foresight connected the origin of devolution. He revived British cities and led the refurbishment of thousands of assembly homes. He completed the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, breathed beingness backmost into villages and towns affected by the closure of mines, and achieved the astir important situation pact that had ever been negotiated. He utilized the powerfulness of his bureau to present applicable change.

The Labour Party could ne'er person won 3 consecutive afloat presumption without John and we each beryllium him a indebtedness of gratitude. A elephantine of the labour question and loyal friend, helium stayed faithful to his authorities and volition beryllium remembered with immense fondness by each those who knew him.

John was not lone a Labour fable but an inspiration to me, and ever truthful generous with his clip and support. He was a beloved person of excavation and utilized to telephone maine aft PMQs each clip I deputised.

When John smiled his full look smiled. When I saw him aft I was made Deputy Prime Minister earlier this twelvemonth helium was truthful blessed for me. It’s a representation I’ll instrumentality with me.

John Prescott was a one-off and we volition everlastingly beryllium grateful for the publication helium made to our question and our country. I volition miss him greatly and I cognize I’m not alone. All our thoughts and prayers are with Pauline, David, Johnathan and the remainder of his family.