In a city known for its strong opinions and proud working-class roots, a plan to honor one of Hull’s most famous political sons has sparked a heated debate — and ultimately, a firm “no.”
The proposal to erect a statue of the late Lord John Prescott, the former Deputy Prime Minister, has officially been rejected by Hull City Council.
And it wasn’t an easy call — the vote ended in a dramatic 26-26 tie, only for the Lord Mayor, Cheryl Payne, to break the deadlock with her casting vote against the motion.
A Costly Tribute That Divided Opinion
At the center of the debate? Money. Council leader Mike Ross, who voted against the statue, questioned whether spending £150,000 of taxpayers’ money was the best way to pay tribute to Prescott.
“It’s not that he doesn’t deserve to be remembered,” Ross said.
“The real question is about how we do that, and whether a statue is the right choice — especially one with such a hefty price tag.”
He made it clear that commemorating Lord Prescott isn’t off the table.
But in a time of tight budgets and local needs, this particular proposal just didn’t add up for many on the council.
A ‘Working-Class Lad’ Remembered
Still, there were strong voices on the other side. Councillor Julia Conner, who brought the proposal forward, believed the statue would have been a fitting tribute.
“This was a working-class lad who made it all the way to the top,” she said.
“He left a lasting mark not just on Hull, but on politics as a whole.”
She didn’t shy away from highlighting Prescott’s famously fiery character either — even referencing the time he punched a protester who egged him during the 2001 general election campaign.
“He was a character,” she said. “John’s presence and style certainly packed a punch.”
A Political Heavyweight With a Fighting Spirit
Prescott, who passed away in November at the age of 86, was a Labour heavyweight through and through.
He represented Hull East in Parliament for four decades — from 1970 to 2010 — and served as deputy leader of the Labour Party from 1994 until 2007.
Most famously, he was Deputy Prime Minister under Tony Blair during the New Labour era, known as Blair’s “political bruiser” and the man who bridged the gap between old-school union Labour and its modern rebrand.
From Railwayman’s Son to Country Estate
Prescott’s life story is the stuff of political folklore.
The son of a railway worker and a servant from North Wales, he was a tough Yorkshire lad who had a talent for boxing and a flair for straight talk.
Over time, he swapped working-class grit for more refined tastes — famously enjoying games of croquet on the lawn of his country home, even while running the country.
So What’s Next for Honoring Prescott?
With the statue off the table for now, the question lingers: how should Hull remember one of its most memorable political figures?
While a monument may be out of reach — at least financially — the debate has opened the door for other ideas.
Whether through a scholarship, a community project, or something entirely different, Lord Prescott’s legacy is still up for discussion.
But one thing’s for sure — love him or loathe him, John Prescott won’t be forgotten anytime soon in Hull.