Nautilus is paying tribute to former deputy prime minister and one-time seafarer John Prescott, who has died aged 86 after living with Alzheimer’s for many years.
Lord Prescott was Britain's longest-serving deputy prime minister and was a key figure in transport policymaking during Tony Blair’s Labour government, having worked at sea as a steward on a cruise ship.
He was awarded honorary membership of Nautilus International’s predecessor union NUMAST in 2001 – the award is reserved for persons who have rendered outstanding service to the Union or its members – becoming one of a handful of people to be honoured in this way.
He was the key figure in the creation of Labour’s Full Steam Ahead policy document, published in 1992, which aimed to drive through a revitalisation of the UK shipping industry. It went on to heavily influence the future governments maritime policy 'Charting the Future'. The policy contained 37 recommendations, including the introduction of the Tonnage Tax, which was introduced in the year 2000 after a review by Lord Alexander. Mr Prescott was able to persuade the prime minister Tony Blair of its value despite reported opposition from within the Treasury.
He entered the House of Lords in 2010, and in 2015 became patron of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB). He was a regular attendee at MNWB events until his health deteriorated.
Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson said: ‘I had the privilege to work with John in the 1990s as he led the shadow transport team. Together with Joan Walley MP, the shadow shipping minister, we developed Full Steam Ahead, the Labour Party’s shipping policy, which went on to heavily influence the shape of government policy when Labour won a landslide in 1997.
‘John was a brilliant strategist, a force of nature, and so passionate about rejuvenating the UK shipping industry and jobs and training for UK seafarers. Without him we would not have had the Tonnage Tax or SMarT funding. We owe him our immense gratitude, and the Council of the Union awarded him Honorary Membership in 2001. He was a one-of-a-kind politician, who will be sadly missed.’
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