Ruskin College, Oxford, has named one of its central teaching spaces The John Prescott Room in honour of the late John Prescott, former Deputy Prime Minister and alumnus of the college, in a moving ceremony attended by family, friends, and former colleagues.
The event was marked by a powerful speech delivered by Lord Prescott’s son, former Labour political adviser David Prescott, who paid tribute to his father’s transformative time at Ruskin College between 1963 and 1965, where he was tutored by respected historian Raphael Samuel.. The college, now part of the University of West London, played a pivotal role in John Prescott’s journey from ship steward to one of the most recognisable figures in British politics.
David told attendees: “John called his two years here ‘the joy of my life’. Even in the last stages of his life, when names and memories were fading due to Alzheimer’s, Ruskin remained vivid to him. That tells you everything.”
David, 55, reflected on his father’s roots, educational setbacks, and sheer determination to re-enter education through Ruskin with the help of a union scholarship. His speech painted an emotive picture of Lord Prescott’s journey from ship galleys to the halls of power, grounded by his time at Ruskin College.
Quoting directly from his father’s writings, David noted: “Ruskin helped me shape the bullets I would fire in my political career.” His son said: “And he never stopped firing them. Against inequality. Against injustice. Against those who said people like him weren’t fit to govern.
(Image: Claire Williams/Ruskin College)
“So today, 60 years after John Prescott left this college, my family wants to say thank you, Ruskin. Thank you for opening that door and my father’s mind.
“Thank you to the tutors who challenged him – and lifted him. And thank you to the working-class students who have continued to walk through these doors and make this place what it is.”
The Ruskin College course in politics and economics enabled John to get a place at the University of Hull to study economics in 1965. In a symbolic and emotional gesture, David donated his father’s original Ruskin essays to the college’s archives.
Professor Peter John, principal of Ruskin College, said: “John Prescott embodied the mission of Ruskin College – to offer a second chance at education and to empower working people to become leaders and change-makers. We are proud that his journey began here, and proud that his legacy will continue to inspire future students from within these walls.”
Before the speech, David and his father’s former parliamentary colleagues, his former Chief of Staff Joan Hammell, his special adviser Joe Irvin and his former ministers Richard Caborn and Alan Meale (a former Ruskin student), were given a tour of Ruskin, including John’s former bed and study room, which is directly above the newly-named John Prescott Room.
David said: “It was quite emotional to see where he studied and slept. An 11 plus failure with no O levels who was given that second chance to study and learn which helped him embark on a journey from the docks to Downing Street.”
The Prescott family also donated pictures, drawings and books from his home for the John Prescott Room, including paintings of John Prescott at the Durham Miners’ Gala and the Franconia liner in Liverpool, which he sailed on as a steward before going to Ruskin College.
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