It was with great sadness that we learned today of the death of Ruskin College alumnus and politician Lord John Prescott.

After serving in the Merchant Navy where he became a trade union activist, Lord Prescott attended Ruskin College, Oxford in 1962, where he obtained a diploma in economics and politics.  He was a member of the Ruskin Fellowship of Ex-Students and over the years he returned to the college for various events when he always spoke warmly about his Ruskin experience and of how Ruskin College had such a seminal and positive impact pushing him and fellow students beyond their perceived capacity.

He then went on to do a BSc in economics and economic history at the University of Hull.

Lord Prescott became MP for Kingston upon Hull East in 1970, a position he held for the next 40 years. He was Britain’s longest serving Deputy Prime Minister to Sir Tony Blair from 1997 to 2007 and was a deputy leader of the Labour party.

As we celebrate Ruskin College’s 125-year anniversary, we plan to create a memorial plaque to remember Lord Prescott and his huge contribution to British politics.

Professor Peter John CBE, Principal of Ruskin College, Oxford and Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of West London