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Post by webm@ster on Jun 11, 2003 12:04:25 GMT -5
June 7 Telegraph
He rambles incoherently, flails at strangers with his fists, demonstrates a sneering disregard for his public and greets photographers with a two-fingered salute. He was first invited into Downing Street in the hopes of making Tony Blair look like a man of the people, but he went on to become an embarrassment. His behaviour became more prima-donna-ish, and he seemed reluctant to accept his largely ornamental role in an outfit where the brains were elsewhere.
Liam Gallagher, the singer from the rock group Oasis, has at least this much in common with the Deputy Prime Minister. But although we seldom now hear from Mr Gallagher, Mr Prescott remains much in the public eye.
In the high days of Britpop, Liam's older brother Noel would shrug his misbehaviour off as just another example of "our kid" acting out. When John Prescott planted a haymaker on a protester before the 2001 election, the Prime Minister (once he discovered the public reaction seemed favourable) grinned unctuously: "Just John being John."
There's a patronising sort of affection there - tchoh! you can't expect him to behave himself in public; he's, y'know, working class - but there's something more behind it. Noel Gallagher could easily embark on a solo career; but Mr Blair depends on Mr Prescott for more than just his brooding good looks and his rock and roll attitude.
Mr Prescott's very figure bears witness to his lifelong commitment to the grass-roots, beer-and-sandwich trade union movement. And in an era of spivvy Westminster professionals, Mr Prescott's aura of amateurishness simply makes him look honest. The more duff his performances in the House, the more butterfingered his handling of any portfolio that passes within his grasp, the more boorish his public displays, the more the Labour Party loves him. If the party loves him, the PM has no choice but to do the same. And two fingers to the rest of us.
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