No, Deputy Prime Minister
John Prescott had a torrid time at the dispatch box last week. Needless to say the line which got the most attention was the attempt at support from a Labour backbencher - I won't call her a toady for fear of inviting a class action from toads - who asked if he would still be "hands on".
However, what was truly amazing was his attempt to claim that he was doing more than Michael Heseltine, the last Conservative holder of the post.
Heaven knows Lord Heseltine has his faults, but the idea that Prescott would look good by comparing himself to Hezza was possibly the most ill-judged comparison since Dan Quayle made the mistake of comparing himself to John F Kennedy in his debate against Lloyd Bentsen. I wish that the rules of debate in the Commons could have permitted one of those present who could make such a claim to respond with
"I know Michael Heseltine, I worked with Michael Heseltine; Michael Heseltine is a friend of mine. John Prescott, you're no Michael Heseltine.
And as for the claim that Prescott is working harder - all recent holders of the job of Deputy Prime minister until now have either had a department to run, an area of government for which they were responsible, or a real job such as Leader of the House of Commons. In Michael Heseltine's case he was responsible for public service reform within the cabinet office.
Earlier today I looked up the transcript of a BBC interview with Hezza just after his appointment, and the sort of question which John Humphries asked referred to colleagues who were jealous that he was being given too much power - there was a suggestion that Hezza might go "rampaging through Whitehall". If anyone used those words about Prescott I do not think they would be suggesting that he had too much influence on government policy.
However, what was truly amazing was his attempt to claim that he was doing more than Michael Heseltine, the last Conservative holder of the post.
Heaven knows Lord Heseltine has his faults, but the idea that Prescott would look good by comparing himself to Hezza was possibly the most ill-judged comparison since Dan Quayle made the mistake of comparing himself to John F Kennedy in his debate against Lloyd Bentsen. I wish that the rules of debate in the Commons could have permitted one of those present who could make such a claim to respond with
"I know Michael Heseltine, I worked with Michael Heseltine; Michael Heseltine is a friend of mine. John Prescott, you're no Michael Heseltine.
And as for the claim that Prescott is working harder - all recent holders of the job of Deputy Prime minister until now have either had a department to run, an area of government for which they were responsible, or a real job such as Leader of the House of Commons. In Michael Heseltine's case he was responsible for public service reform within the cabinet office.
Earlier today I looked up the transcript of a BBC interview with Hezza just after his appointment, and the sort of question which John Humphries asked referred to colleagues who were jealous that he was being given too much power - there was a suggestion that Hezza might go "rampaging through Whitehall". If anyone used those words about Prescott I do not think they would be suggesting that he had too much influence on government policy.
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