John Prescott

“The green belt is a Labour achievement, and we mean to build on it.”

“I'm a traditionalist. I'm a traditional Labour man. I'm not a Blairite. I'm a Brownite. I'm a Prescottite.”

“I was just doing what any normal human being would have done.”

“Tony and I were the Posh and Becks of politics.”

“I'm a fighter, not a quitter.”

“In my first week as a minister, I had to go to a European meeting. I couldn't understand a word. But I soon got used to it.”

“I will not be bullied by the Tory press.”

“We have the traditional industries of our country, manufacturing and coal... which is, of course, manufacturing.”

“I have always been my own man.”

“We are listening, and we are learning.”

“I'm not a great orator. I'm a gut politician.”

“It's a long game, politics.”