Jack Ferguson

John Prescott was a true friend of local government and inspired so many. We thank him for all he did. Goodbye and rest in peace. 🌹🌹🌹

Mesmerising performance from @LukeTheNuke180 to win the World Darts Championship. Congratulations Luke on being the youngest ever PDC World Darts Champion. An inspirational performance under such pressure to lift the trophy. You should be really proud of what you've achieved tonight, not just for yourself but for the sport of darts as a whole.

As we come together to celebrate the hope and joy of this special season, I wish you a very happy Christmas. The Christmas story reminds us to care and look after those around us — I send my heartfelt thanks to those who are spending Christmas serving others.

John Prescott embodied the aspiration of working people across the entire country. Thank you, John, for a lifetime of service. Rest in peace.

Tony Blair's tribute to John Prescott: Although we all knew that the end was approaching and was inevitable, I am devastated by John’s passing. He was one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics; one of the most committed and loyal; and definitely the most unusual. There was nothing about John which fitted conventional wisdom. He was from proud traditional working-class stock yet understood instinctively and completely the aspirations of that class and their desire to better themselves. He was liberal and tolerant, yet instantly intolerant of any overly liberal middle-class dismissal of the misery suffered by poor inner-city communities from crime and drug abuse. He could talk in the bluntest and sometimes bluest language, but it concealed a first-rate intellect which meant he thought as deeply about issues as much as he cared about them. It is no exaggeration to say the Labour Party could never have won three consecutive full terms without John. He was a commanding presence. He represented the wing of the party which was not New Labour, but he did it in a way which never reduced the effectiveness of our appeal and indeed extended it, broadening the base of our support. He had extraordinary accomplishments: he revived many of Britain’s inner cities, was responsible for the refurbishment of thousands of council homes and the revival of British shipping, completed the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, established the Coalfield Communities Trust to breathe life back into villages and towns affected by the closure of mines, and was Britain’s lead negotiator for the Kyoto climate treaty, the world’s first attempt to agree a global response to climate change. I relied on him many times: when in difficulty, under attack; and less well known when I needed someone whose gut instinct I trusted better than my own. To say we were partners would never capture the nature of our relationship. There was nothing formal about it. We met and talked regularly. Rules of protocol were cast aside. Debates were had which could be fierce. But once concluded, the common line was kept. The truth is for all the difficulties and the differences and the jokes about us both and our “odd couple” relationship, we had developed a genuine admiration, respect and affection for each other. Underneath what could be a fierce exterior, and a manner some undoubtedly found intimidating, beat a loving, kind and compassionate human heart. John was as good a friend as you could ever hope to have, with a deep sensitivity, even vulnerability. He will deservedly occupy a special place in the pantheon of the Labour leadership; he will be mourned by his many friends and fans around the world, and for me personally today is a day of profound sadness but also immense pride in having known him and worked with him: a great man and great servant of country and party. I send my heartfelt condolences to Pauline, Johnathan, David and all the family.

Great to be at the #BasildonBoroughDerby between @BTFC and @Bowerspitseafc with a large crowd this afternoon in the @IsthmianLeague. Also brilliant to visit the Billericay Town Soccability programme providing accessible football opportunities.

Honoured to have been at St Chads Church, Vange this morning to lay a wreath on behalf of the @BasildonLabour Party. #WeWillRememberThem #LestWeForget

We Will Remember Them

Today, on Remembrance Sunday, people across the country will come together to pay solemn tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, defending the values and freedoms we enjoy today. On behalf of the whole country, I thank them. We will remember them.

Such sad news. Chris is a British sporting legend. To face his diagnosis with such positivity is inspiring. The whole country is behind him and his family. x.com/thetimes/statu…

Really enjoyed my visit to the vaccination bus. Thank you for inviting me and residents to attend.

Brilliant speech from our Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer A clear vision and hope for the country with a @UKLabour Government #ChangeBegins

My ambition for Britain knows no limits because I can see the prize on offer if we make the right choices now. This Labour Government will rebuild Britain and deliver on the promise of change. bbc.com/news/articles/…

We are rebuilding Britain to grow our economy by creating highly skilled jobs in every part of the country.

Going out with a bang 🎇 What a way to close out #Paris2024 🫶

An incredible games. Huge Congratulations and Thank You @ParalympicsGB! #Paris2024

Deeply saddened to hear the passing of Don Sheppard. Thank you for your dedication, service and duty. My thoughts and with Don’s family and friends.

Congratulations to all our @ParalympicGB athletes. 124 medals at this year's games. But it’s not just the medals. You have inspired millions of people to pursue their own Paralympic dreams. You’ve done our country proud.

To all 215 @ParalympicsGB athletes representing our country – we are all behind you.

As the Paris Paralympic Games begin today, good luck to all of our incredible athletes who are competing 🇬🇧