Half-sacked Prescott is national laughing stock - Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Vince Cable MP
May 30, 2006 4:20 PM
Commenting on calls from Labour MPs for John Prescott to resign as Deputy Prime Minster, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable MP said: "John Prescott has become a national laughing stock. By only half-sacking the Deputy Prime Minster at the reshuffle, Tony Blair created this mess by not having the courage or conviction to finish the job. The fact that John Prescott is being paid large sums of money to do little or nothing adds to the general malaise surrounding this government and the feeling that ministers are incapable of tackling serious issues."
An increasing number of Labour MPs are struggling to answer the question "what is Mr Prescott for?" and some are even publicly stating he has no further role. His credibility has taken a serious knock over recent revelations about his affair with his secretary and his apparent attachment to his grace and favour mansion - not helped by pictures of him playing the "toffs' game" of croquet.
Many grassroots Labour party members and, in particular, women Labour MPs, have been dismayed by his behaviour, which has undermined his authority. And, while he may still be seen as the man best placed to ease the transition of power from Blair to Brown, his ability to command respect across the party, the Commons and the wider Labour movement has also been affected. He no longer has a department to run but he has kept his titles of deputy prime minister and deputy party leader, plus salary and perks. So what does he actually do to earn them. ?
Each time he stands up in the Commons he will be met by a blizzard of ridicule from the opposition benches - something the toughest minister can find difficult to cope with. Yet Mr Prescott appears determined to resist all demands for him to resign, claiming he is subject to a media feeding frenzy. And the prime minister has rallied to his support.
Part of Prescott's catalogue of woes:-
1999: As transport minister - dubbed "two jags" - uses an official car to go a few hundred yards to conference
2001: Punches an egg-throwing protester during the General Election campaign
2003: Gives journalists a V-sign outside Downing Street
2005: Local reporter says Mr Prescott told him to "bugger off" during an interview
April 2006: Admits to having had an affair with a secretary after newspaper revelations
May 2006: Stripped of his department in reshuffle, but keeps title, salary and perks
May 2006: Photos show him playing croquet at his country retreat while deputising as PM
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