As Britan's ruling Labour Party gathered for its annual conference, a book was launched to mark the valiant struggles of one of its best-loved members — Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott’s long-running battle with the English language.The compilation of Prescott’s mangled syntax, individual vocabulary and at times tenuous relationship with logic is entitled Punch Lines, after the burly deputy premier’s infamous left hook on an egg-throwing protestor in 2001.Prescott, a former merchant navy steward who entered Parliament via the trade union movement, is seen as Prime Minister Tony Blair’s vital link with the Labour Party heartland. He has also proved himself an able government minister, despite a tendency to speak English in the manner of someone mastering a second, if not third, language.Some of Prescott’s comments, gathered by political journalist Simon Hoggart, include:‘‘My position is that I want to make our position clear: The example of Germany is just one example, for example.’’‘‘For the first time in 50 years, bus passenger numbers have risen to their highest level ever.’’‘‘I met the Nigerian leader, er. The Nigerian leader, and he said that when he pulls the levers nothing happens, so we need a better form of governess. A governess is something we ought to be talking about.’’
