John Prescott stood in for Tony Blair at prime minister's questions today for the last time. He has resigned from the deputy leadership of the Labour party and will cease being deputy prime minister when Mr Blair stands down on June 27.
William Hague, standing in for David Cameron wished Mr Prescott well, applauded his 10 years in government and 37 years as an MP, and told MPs how much they would miss him. MPs on all sides laughed uproariously. Mrs Prescott sitting in the gallery with her family smiled indulgently.
I suppose if they didn't laugh they would cry. Mr Blair may not answer the questions, and he may provide answers to questions he has not been asked but at least he does so with some style. In contrast the deputy leader bluffs and blusters his way through question time. Anyone with a greater sense of self awareness, or any self awareness, would surely be more modest, would refuse to play the court jester and would play down their inadequacies rather than play them up.
Mr Prescott warned today that he would not be going away, that he would be retiring to play a supportive role from the backbenches.
When Enoch Powell's barber asked him how he wanted his haircut, Mr Powell replied: "In silence". Gordon Brown, if asked how Mr Prescott should support him, should give the same reply.