Another struggle for John Prescott

Class warrior John Prescott, fresh from last night's starring role with his wife Pauline on BBC2, when he complained about the toffs who still rule Britain's "pyramid society", is likely to face a fresh struggle with his conscience after the next general election. For he is almost certain to be given a seat in the House of Lords.

Prescott, 70, is due to give up his Westminster seat in Hull East at the next general election. But none of his friends believe he is ready to give up politics, which has been the main part of his life since he entered the Commons in 1970.

And because the former deputy Prime Minister helped persuade Tony Blair to hand over power to Gordon Brown, he can expect to be given a peerage in the dissolution honours list by a grateful PM.

However, the thought of taking ermine will produce an agony of conscience for the ex-Cunard waiter who admitted in a BBC Today programme interview yesterday morning that his life was full of "contradictions" on the subject of class. It is one thing opening himself to the charge of being a traitor to his class by taking a peerage, but the worst thing is that he will have to sit on the same benches as Lord Mandelson of Foy and Hartlepool.

Part Two of 'Prescott: the Class System and Me' will be broadcast next Monday on BBC2

THE MOLE: PRESCOTT ANGST

FIRST POSTED OCTOBER 27, 2008