2001 United Kingdom general election previous autumn had shown the first Tory lead (though only by a narrow margin) in the opinion polls for eight years as they benefited from the public anger towards the government over the fuel protests which had led to a severe shortage of motor fuel. By the end of 2000, however, the dispute had been solved and Labour were firmly back in the lead of the opinion polls. In total, a mere 29 parliamentary seats changed hands at the 2001 Election. One of the more noted events of a quiet campaign was when countryside protester Craig Evans threw an egg
John B. Prescott John B. Prescott John Barry Prescott AC FTSE (born Sydney, 22 October 1940) is a retired Australian businessman and corporate bureaucrat who was managing director and CEO of BHP from 1991 to 1998. Over his career, he has held numerous positions including chairman of Queensland Rail and ASC Pty Ltd, and director of Newmont Mining Corporation. Prescott received a Bachelor of Commerce (Industrial Relations) from the University of New South Wales in 1961. Prescott was an executive of BHP, having been with that company for over 40 years including as an executive director for 10 years and as managing director