By-election shock – Prezza has been to charm school

Published on Wednesday 5 November 2008 21:10

HE CAME, he saw, he failed to land a punch. Labour's favourite street fighter went to Glenrothes yesterday as the party pulled out its secret weapon for a final push ahead of today's crucial vote.

But anyone hoping for John Prescott to live up to his reputation as a bruiser would have been, well, disappointed.

Instead of deploying his firepower, he unleashed diplomacy. The most aggressive the former deputy prime minister got was calling Alex Salmond a "cheeky chappie".

And the politician who, just a few weeks ago, raised two fingers at SNP supporters in Glasgow, turned his hand around this time to show a peace sign.

There was even an air of defeat about him. Looking more svelte these days and remarkably young-looking for his 70 years, Mr Prescott was suspiciously polite when put on the spot by journalists.

He refused to predict victory for his side, admitting: "You just don't win elections any more by telling them that you're Labour."

Mr Prescott shimmied down the mall of the Kingdom Shopping Centre with the grace of Bruce Forsyth, stopping regularly to talk to the adoring crowds.

Labour had booked a photo-call in the afternoon outside the dreary Fife House council building, but the media spotted him earlier, canvassing shoppers.

It is difficult to know whether those clamouring to meet Mr Prescott were Labour supporters or simply had been attracted by his celebrity.

Whatever the reason, Prezza turned on the megawatt charm. He patiently posed for pictures, kissing the odd blonde (clearly, he has had practice here), and tirelessly gave radio interviews. "When Gordon (the Prime Minister, to whom he refers as a "kid"] warned the EU and the UN about the economic crisis years ago, they wouldn't listen. Well now they are saying, 'Come over here, tell us about your plan'," he said.

But this by-election is also about Lindsay Roy, the Labour candidate. What makes him so great? "Well, he embodies the education service, one of Labour's great success stories. He is a man from the community," Mr Prescott said, referring to Mr Roy's day job as a headmaster at Kirkcaldy High School.

As young mothers, pensioners and an alarming number of young men recently made redundant from manufacturing jobs gathered around him, Mr Prescott referred to his latest project – a two-part TV documentary about the class system. "I'm known as Mr Pauline Prescott now," he joked, referring to his glamorous wife who was the star of the show.

But one couple who watched Mr Prescott from the sidelines were not impressed enough with him to switch their vote back to Labour.

Cecilia Wilson, a 61-year-old retired procurement manager, said she used to support Labour but became disillusioned when she saw how the party ran Fife Council, before the SNP snatched it last year. "I hate the idea that they think, just because we are the sons and daughters of miners, we will vote Labour. We have minds of our own," she said.

Mrs Wilson plans to vote SNP as she believes the party stands up for Scotland and Scottish jobs, in raising concerns about the proposed Lloyds-HBOS takeover.

"I was delighted with Obama's win last night," she added. "One election down, one to go."

Outside Fife Council HQ, Mr Prescott held up a sign proclaiming: "Stop SNP care charges and cuts."

"I don't know if anyone has got any eggs," he piped up, without a hint of malice, referring to the incident where he thumped a man for throwing one. But it's a safe bet that, when the result of today's poll is known, someone is going to end up with egg on their face.