We also hear people when they say they want cleaner air, a better environment

John Prescott

Delegates at the party conference in Brighton gave him a standing ovation after he hailed a string of changes the government had introduced.

Mr Prescott cited major initiatives in areas such as regional representation, the environment, transport, the countryside and safety at work as examples where the Tories had "failed" but Labour was delivering.

But he refused to bow to demands from protesters for a cut in fuel tax in response to blockades of oil refineries.

Democratic decisions

Mr Prescott said no government could "chop and change" taxation policy month by month.

"That is no way to make decisions in a democratic country," he said, to loud applause.

Protesters' demands had been heard by ministers "loud and clear". But he went on: "We also hear people when they say they want cleaner air, a better environment.

"We hear people say they want money spent on schools and hospitals - not to mention farm subsidies and relief for road haulage."

The government would deal with problems through proper democratic representation in the budget process, he insisted.