Prescott was certainly a highlight. He came across as a very likable and gentle human being who often had a twinkle in his eye as he inferred far more than he was prepared to say.
That is not to suggest that what he did say wasn't worthy of comment. On several occasions he implicitly challenged his stereotype image of the bullish trade unionist who could be seen as a bit of a loose cannon in the party.
Not only did he sustain a composed and amicable manner throughout the interview, but he claimed he only threatened to resign once. Over Paddy Ashdown's possible admission into the cabinet. If true this means he sat on his hands over issues fundamentally opposed to his old labour politics such as tuition fees, academies, foundation hospitals and the Iraq war.
He also expanded upon his unlikely respect for loathed ex-Tory PM, Margaret Thatcher. "She knew what she was doing", he said. "I may not agree with what she did, but she knew what she was doing". Luckily he didn't have anything but support to offer for the 'dithering' Gordon Brown, or one might have begun to think he was switching sides.
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