John Prescott: A politician who packs a punch

Jul 4 2008 by Peter Elson, Liverpool Daily Post

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott (158) (copy)

“I’ve been brought up from my father’s time in trade unions to find a good compromise and be sure that you never draw the line too early as that’s the basis of negotiations.

“That’s why I was particularly proud of being one of the final negotiators in the Kyoto Agreement. My concern is bringing prosperity and social justice together and getting millions back to work.

“When we came to power, there was 2m tonnes of British shipping registered, now it’s 14m tonnes.

“Look around and see the growth of regeneration in our cities. I think that’s a considerable improvement of our city life; cleaner, greener and safer. Playing a part in that makes me feel good.

“But also personal things count. When I was transport minister, people kept falling out of the Intercity trains and the excuse was that these were drunken squaddies.

“The train companies said they couldn’t afford electric door locks. Then a girl of 11 years fell out of a train at Warrington, and she couldn’t reach the handle. Therefore they couldn’t argue any more as the door itself had opened.

“The next day they announced putting on electric door locks. So when I catch my train home to Hull and see that orange light on, I think, because of that campaign there are 15 people less a year dying. That’s nice and I like that, so perhaps I did a few things right.”

One of the most astonishing revelations from John Prescott’s book was, of course, his bulimia. He says: “Years before, I’d learn- ed I’d got diabetes and publicised getting early medical advice.

“For the same reason, after bulimia being part of my life for 10 years, I talk about it, as many people consider it a teenage girls’ disease. I didn’t think it was a problem at the time. I think people should be more open as these are conditions that should be helped.” However, he’s far too savvy to know that talking about being bulimic during his decade as deputy prime minister would have been explosive news.

“Oh, I’d have just got more criticism.

“I’m the villain for everything. If I cough, I cough wrongly.”

Safely out of government, he’s quietly proud to hear that his confession has brought more people forward to gain help for this problem.

* PREZZA – My Story: Pulling No Punches, by John Prescott, published by Headline Review at £18.99

peter.elson@dailypost.co.uk

Not a man to put up with egg on his face >>>