John Prescott

[sloth]

Did John Prescott's recent burst of "self defence" impress or disgust people? Will it change the way anyone votes in the election?

[PDTV]

It was refreshing to see a politician showing some real feelings for a change. Politics has become too 'corporate' and a glimpse of someone behaving in a fairly normal way (how would you react to an egg in the face?) can only enhance Labour's image.

[boatman]

I agree with PDTV, it was a refreshingly human response and it certainly won't change how I'm going to vote. However, it doesn't do a great deal to dispel the image of Britain as being in the grip of 'yob culture' and we mustn't forget that Prescott is Deputy PM, not a back-bench nobody. Also, there have been a some rather patronising responses to the tune of 'well, he's working class, "a bit closer to nature" than many of the front bench, so he would behave like that, wouldn't he.' Hmm . . .

[andy hughes]

The general reaction to Mr Prescott's action seems to have been a mixture of the previous answers. I think the correct response is Mr Prescott's - it was an instinctive response, and on reflection he regrets what he did. MP Joe Ashton was asked on Radio Five what he thought, and opined that Mr Prescott was approaching pensionable age, Mr Ashton is already of that age-group, and therefore he reacted as old gentlemen did - with his fists. Asked to respond to a teacher who had e-mailed the point that trying to educate children that violence is no solution was somewhat undermined by the behaviour of a senior policitian, Mr Ashton decided it was "the teachers' job to eductae children." Children learn by example - to excuse violence on the grounds of age, or instinct is not acceptable, for policitians, or children. If that message can be directed to everyone, from everyone, perhaps the levels of violence in our society will decrease, instead of increase. Excusing a violent act under the illusion that it is somehow the human face of politics positively defies logical explanation. Standards of behaviour, begin at the top, or in Mr Prescott's case, next to the top.

[eram]

I don't think it is a matter of justification - more of instant reaction. Hit by an egg from that distance must feel just the same as being hit by a fist. For someone used to physical contact - he is a former boxer - it would be instinctive to defend yourself. I don't think he can be condemned for his reaction at all. But why on earth did the police allow him to be forced through a narrow walkway on which the protestors were gathered? That was a spectacularly poor piece of policing.

[netjet]

I felt it was an instinct reaction.He done what was a natural reaction