Prescott blames Labour splits on ‘Yes – but’ factor
John Prescott has discussed the challenges of keeping the Labour party united in the face of what he labelled a ‘Yes – but’ culture.
In an interview with The Times newspaper, he spoke about his family, his role in the Government, and his desire to serve a third term of office, and suggested that some critics from the left fail to give the Government credit for their achievements by always saying ‘Yes – but’
The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated his loyalty to Tony Blair while making clear that he is not ‘new Labour’. He reflected on the difficulties of holding together the coalition of views within Labour, but made clear that both the Government and the party need each other.
He accused Trade Unions of suffering from a ‘yes – but’ factor, demanding things such as a minimum wage but failing to give credit to the government when they deliver. He argued that rather than acknowledge the success or say thank you they just move onto something else saying ‘Yes – but what about that’.
Commenting on the problem that the Government faces with the perception of ongoing spin, Mr Prescott sought out his Labour Party pledge cards, one each for the last two elections and argued that the pledges had been met.
He acknowledged that this was not widely recognised by those that need to know it because of the gap between perception and reality, and he suggested that this was an issue of honesty and truth.
John Prescott is a long time critic of spin, but with Alistair Campbell rumored to be leaving his post, he used the interview to praise him for making the party a professional and disciplined organisation that could win the elections it has.
And he put himself forward as an example of how the Government could gain greater public trust. He welcomes the general perception of him that ‘what you see is what you get’, but joked that the new perception that he is a politician ‘with a heart’ is undermining his image as a hard man.
The Deputy Prime Minister is presently in charge of the country – while the Prime Minister is in Barbados with his family – during what is a difficult time for the Government.
Asked about the Kelly affair Mr Prescott refused to comment at length though he hinted at his grievance with the Independent, which he suggested sat on the comments until near to the funeral. However, he praised the graciousness of Mrs Kelly and her daughters and acknowledged that it was his decision to make on the apology for the ‘Walter Mitty’ comment.
Mr Prescott himself was recently catapulted into the limelight when a story about the reunion of his wife and a child she gave up for adoption hit the papers.
