Tom Richmond: How Prescott became a big hitter on Twitter

While the two former PMs will never be universally admired by the Labour Party because of their divisiveness and lack of respect for one another, the newly-ennobled Lord Prescott of Hull is earning his movement's respect.

Why?

Even though the "old bruiser" is 72, and around three decades older than the main protagonists in Labour's leadership contest, he's proving

to be a far more effective political campaigner than the young

whipper-snappers.

A key reason is that Prescott has embraced new technology with the help of his son David. Despite his reputation for his misuse of the English language, he's become very adept at Twittering online.

It means Prescott is, invariably, the first to respond on Labour's part when a major political story breaks. It also meant that he was the first to launch an online campaign when it emerged that the coalition Government was considering scrapping NHS Direct – one of New Labour's legacies. Already, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley is back-tracking under the weight of the onslaught.

This approach certainly contrasts with Blair who has made clear, in countless interviews, that he's virtually computer illiterate and

that he wrote out his memoirs (largely superficial on domestic policy) in longhand. He'll be happy that he never has to go to another Labour conference.

Furthermore, while Blair was settling old scores with Brown this week, Prescott was leading the charge on the Metropolitan Police's complacent handling of the phone-tapping inquiry – and the implications for Andy Coulson, the former News of the World editor who now heads David Cameron's communications team. He will not stop until Coulson leaves office.

Of course, Prescott may be motivated by his desire to be Labour's next treasurer. He's also been the first to highlight the scale of the party's financial crisis – and how it has been teetering with

bankruptcy.

But, while Blair and Brown may no longer be welcome at Labour

conferences, Prescott will be – and he will be fighting for the values that he believes. Long may this be so. For, like him or not, there's much that today's politicians can still learn from Big John.

IN many respects, the elongated Labour leadership contest has become a mutual admiration society. The five candidates were falling over themselves to be pleasant to each other. The quintet have all promised to loyally serve the new leader.

Yet, here is the dilemma. The four top positions in the Shadow Cabinet could be monopolised by two families – brothers David and Ed Miliband, joined by Ed Balls and his wife Yvette Cooper, the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary.

Why Cooper, the Pontefract MP who sat out the leadership contest? With moves for up to half of the available posts to be filled by women, and with few very able female politicians in Labour's higher echelons, she is certain to get a top job, possibly the Home Office role, with Balls as Shadow Chancellor and the Milibands' divvying up the party

leadership and foreign affairs portfolio.

TONY Blair's autobiography was certainly critical of Ed Balls, the

Morley and Outwood MP, on both his judgment and loyalty.

Yet I do like the response of Balls. "You could say that his lack of support is good for me," he said in a dig at Blair's own reputation – and leadership favourite David Miliband – who is praised by the former PM in virtually every chapter for his intellect.

NOW we know why Margaret Beckett became the most unexpected Foreign Secretary of recent times in 2006.

According to Blair's memoirs, he had wanted to give the job to Charles Clarke, even though the then Home Secretary was mired in controversy over the non-deportation of foreign criminals. It would have been the ultimate reward for failure.

Yet, having to decide to remove Jack Straw from the Foreign Office, Blair did not have the courage of his convictions to appoint Clarke, who then rejected a chance to become Defence Secretary, and Beckett received an unexpected phone call.

How not to run a government, or conduct a reshuffle.

IT is little wonder that BBC director general Mark Thompson is facing renewed questions about his organisation's impartiality following a recent episode of the flagship current affairs radio programme Today.

In a 30-minute slot, it aired the grievances of Ed Balls over the Government's deficit reduction plans; John Prescott's concerns, albeit legitimate, about tabloid journalists tapping the phones of politicians and Sally Bercow, the Labour supporting wife of the Speaker, discussing Foreign Secretary William Hague's private life.

Even by the BBC's standards, this was excessive – and creates the impression that it, like some right-wing newspapers, will not be satisfied until the coalition Government is brought down.

IN a week when football and cricket's reputation has, again, been dragged through the gutter, a rare chance to watch Leeds Carnegie in top-class Premiership rugby union action did help lift the sporting spirits.

Three points. Firstly, Leeds and Bath obeyed the referee's every command – you could even hear him being called "Sir". Secondly, junior teams were allowed at half-time to play on the famous Headingley pitch, a concept at Yorkshire County Cricket Club appears to have abandoned. And, finally, it was a joy to watch Bath's rugby supremo Sir Ian McGeechan – formerly of this parish – spending the entire warm-up meeting up with old acquaintances.

For, while sport is about winning and competitiveness, as McGeechan's British and Irish Lions teams have demonstrated down the years, it is also about friendship.