Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Prescott the peacekeeper hosted secret dinners in bid to end leadership rivalry

Colin Brown,Deputy Political Editor
Tuesday 11 January 2005 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

John Prescott began his role as a peacekeeper within months of the 2001 general election victory, nearly two years earlier than previously reported.

John Prescott began his role as a peacekeeper within months of the 2001 general election victory, nearly two years earlier than previously reported.

The Deputy Prime Minister hosted a dinner at Dorneywood, his grace and favour residence in the country, for Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in the spring of 2002. He was alarmed that their personal rivalry would undermine Labour's second term and was determined to stop it. Few knew of the meeting and Mr Prescott was determined that his role should not leak out.

The former merchant seaman told Jim Naughtie on the BBC radio programme Today that as a waiter on board Cunard liners, he knew how to keep confidences. "As a waiter for 10 years I do have a professional ability here so I can help in getting these two people together," he said.

But Mr Prescott was never interested in acting as a power broker between the two men. He was adamant that he did not want to conduct negotiations for the handover of power, but forcefully told both Mr Blair and Mr Brown at their first meeting that they must "sort out" the differences together.

Mr Prescott was also clear from the moment he was elected as Mr Blair's deputy more than 10 years ago that he would remain loyal to the leader. He made it clear to Mr Brown that however much he admired Mr Brown's abilities, he could not support the Chancellor in trying to force out Mr Blair.

Mr Brown was convinced that Mr Blair had promised at the Granita dinner, when he agreed not to run for the leadership, that he would step down during a second term of office.

Mr Prescott was never a party to their private conversations at that stage, but was clear in his own mind that Mr Blair retained the right to decide his own departure date. The deputy leader hoped that their dinner at Dorneywood would clear the air, and avoid the second term being overshadowed by the succession question.

The tensions continued, culminating in the astonishing spectacle of Mr Brown and Mr Blair trading verbal blows at the October 2003 party conference. Mr Prescott in his own wind-up speech to the conference, warned both men that they were strongest when united.

Subsequent secret dinners at his third-floor flat in Admiralty House, overlooking Horseguards Parade, ensued as Mr Prescott tried, unsuccessfully, to get the pair together to resolve the situation.

Yesterday, Mr Prescott shed the marriage guidance counsellor image for the more comfortable one of shop steward, representing the backbench Labour MPs on the "shop floor".

"The troops are saying to the leaders, 'Get in line'," Mr Prescott said.

That has been his message to Mr Blair and Mr Brown for more than three years, and he is hoping that this time, they listen.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in