Once in government John Prescott was given a mammoth fiefdom as he rolled responsibility for environment, transport and the regions into one huge department.

Transport policy has proved particularly difficult for the government with backbench rebellions over privatisation of air traffic control, as well as seemingly endless problems with the rail system. Prescott's earlier commitment to reduce the numbers of journeys the public makes by car also failed.

On the plus side under Prescott the government has taken a lead in pushing for the implementation of the Kyoto treaty designed to reduce worldwide emissions of carbon dioxide.