POLITICAL heavyweight John Prescott took a whistlestop tour around Weymouth as part of Labour’s South Coast re-election campaign.

He addressed the South Dorset Labour Party on Friday night at the Old Rooms Inn on the harbourside before spending the night in the Hotel prince Regent.

The following morning the former deputy Prime Minister began his trek around the town at the Tourist Information Centre before walking through Weymouth’s streets to the harbour.

He was in town to back South Dorset MP Jim Knight’s re-election campaign and to urge local people to exercise their right to vote on May 6.

Mr Prescott described Mr Knight as a ‘great MP and a great minister’ who deserves another term in office’.

Mr Prescott said: “What I came here to tell people is that they’ve really got to vote.

“Don’t stay at home and moan about not getting the government you want if you don’t go out and vote.

“What’s amazing about Weymouth is that the election turnout has always remained above 60 per cent and that’s what we’re still reinforcing to people: ‘turn out, turn out’.

“Jim is a great MP and a great minister.

“You can really see the difference when you go to constituencies where the MP only turns up when it’s time for re-election.

“Jim’s not like that. Nationally speaking, it’s a tough election – there’s no denying that.

“People have got to choose between Cameron and Brown and Clegg and we welcome that leadership debate.”

The Hull East MP said Labour was relying on ‘getting its record across to voters’ and the strength of the party’s leadership under Gordon Brown to win a fourth term in office.

Mr Prescott was keen to point out that he had visited Weymouth during the last three general election campaigns.

He said: “This is a lovely place to visit. It’s a reminder that there are some very good British holiday, seaside towns to visit and with the number of families I’ve seen I’m not the only one who thinks so.

“And it’s certainly warmer here than it has been in Bridlington.”

Turning to the role Weymouth will play in the 2012 Olympics and the town’s new relief road, Mr Prescott said Weymouth was one of several areas in the West Country that needed work on its transport system.

He said: “We came in down the old road, of course and I’m delighted to see movement there.”

Mr Prescott arrived in town on his ‘battle bus’, an ordinary white Ford Transit festooned with Labour party signs and playing the Rocky theme music.

Mr Prescott also found time to pull a pint at the Old Rooms. Landlord Paul Smith said: “He was a lovely bloke. He fired up the troops and was a real joy to have him in the pub.”