WIRRAL MPs have paid tribute to 'tough and plain speaking' former deputy prime minister John Prescott following his death earlier this week.

Lord Prescott, a key figure of the New Labour project who was educated in Ellesmere Port, died “peacefully” and surrounded by relatives at his care home aged 86, his family announced on Thursday.

Wallasey MP Dame Angela Eagle said: "John was my first Ministerial boss at the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions in 1997.

"He was tough and plain speaking but really kind in private. He had an instinctive empathy and very good political judgement. He loved Labour being in Government and making sure Prime Minister Tony Blair listened to the Labour Party as he was making decisions.

"He was an accomplished platform speaker and a rumbustious debater in the Commons.

"As always, the Tories tried to poke fun at his working-class background, but he ignored their jibes and hit right back - sometimes literally.

"He was instinctively plugged in to the needs of the working-class communities he hailed from. He never stopped fighting for them, especially in Hull.

"The world is a more boring place without him. Condolences to Pauline his wife and his family."

Birkenhead MP Alison McGovern commented: "John Prescott was a major Labour figure  - in Government and opposition - and a frequent visitor to the Wirral.

"His passions - for the environment, for housing, for city regions like Merseyside - led to great achievements in Government.

"When he came to campaign in Wirral South in 2010, I will never forget the spirit and fight he brought to that difficult election campaign.

"His family must be incredibly proud of his contribution and the changes he made."

Born in Prestatyn in Wales on 1938, the son of a railwayman, Lord Prescott's family moved to Upton-by-Chester, and he attended Grange Secondary Modern School in nearby Ellesmere Port. He left school aged 15 to work as a trainee chef and then as a steward on the Cunard Line before entering politics.

Lord Prescott's family said he had "spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment".

The former trade union activist and ex-merchant seaman died “peacefully” and surrounded by relatives at his care home, they said.

Lord Prescott was a key figure of Sir Tony Blair’s New Labour project, seen by many as custodian of the party’s traditional values in the face of a modernising leadership.

He 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 for the city.

In a statement released after his death, his wife Pauline and sons Johnathan and David said that representing the people of Hull had been "his greatest honour".

“We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away peacefully yesterday at the age of 86..

“He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery.

“John spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment, doing so from his time as a waiter on the cruise liners to becoming Britain’s longest serving deputy prime minister.

“John dearly loved his home of Hull and representing its people in Parliament for 40 years was his greatest honour. We would like to thank the amazing NHS doctors and nurses who cared for him after his stroke in 2019 and the dedicated staff at the care home where he passed away after latterly living with Alzheimer’s.

“In lieu of flowers and if you wish to do so, you can donate to Alzheimer’s Research UK.

“As you can imagine, our family needs to process our grief so we respectfully request time and space to mourn in private. Thank you.”

Lord Prescott ceased to be a member of the upper House in July this year after facing health difficulties. He had only spoken once in the chamber since suffering a stroke in 2019, official records show, and had not voted since February 2023.

Over a parliamentary career spanning more than half a century, Lord Prescott served for 10 years as deputy prime minister after Labour’s 1997 general election landslide.

At times short-tempered, he once famously punched a protester who threw an egg at him during an election campaign visit to North Wales in 2001.

But during much of his time in office, he acted as a mediator in the often turbulent relationship between Sir Tony and chancellor Gordon Brown.

He also oversaw the environment, transport and the regions, a brief which included helping to negotiate the international Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

Lord Prescott was a loyal supporter of Sir Tony in office but subsequently critical of parts of New Labour’s legacy, denouncing Britain’s involvement in the Iraq War.

He also strongly defended Jeremy Corbyn during his time as party leader in the face of fierce criticism.

In a private letter in 2007, Sir Tony said his former deputy’s role “smoothing out problems, sorting out colleagues and trouble-shooting” had been an “integral part of getting things done”.

The former prime minister said: “The completely unique Prescott blend of charm and brutality – made always more effective by the unpredictability of which would be predominant – got you through the decade, kept the government together and above all, gave me a lot of fun. I was lucky to have you as my deputy.”