John Prescott’s son joins Greens

David Prescott Switches Allegiance to Green Party

Sky News reports that David Prescott, son of former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott, has become a member of the Green Party. The move marks a notable shift in the political landscape following the recent by-election in Gorton and Denton.

David, who shared his father’s role in Parliament with Tony Blair for a decade, joined the Greens in October 2025—a year after his father’s passing. His decision was highlighted in a social media post where he appeared with Green campaigners, celebrating the party’s historic by-election win.

“What. A. Day. Hope Beat Hate.”

Karl Turner, the Labour MP for Normanton and Hemsworth, expressed dismay over David’s defection. “This is a major setback, though not entirely unexpected,” he remarked. “David grew up in a Labour family, deeply rooted in socialist values and trade unionism. Yet, he has always been his own person.”

Turner speculated that John Prescott would be upset if he were still alive. “He’d be critical of the Labour Party for letting progressive voters move to a more radical alternative,” Turner added. “The Greens now claim a space that Labour has long held, threatening to split its base of reform-minded supporters.”

Labour’s performance in Gorton and Denton has intensified concerns about its appeal. The party’s share of the vote rose to 21%, surpassing Labour in a YouGov poll for Sky News. This surge is attributed to the by-election’s impact, with the Greens capitalizing on public sentiment.

David previously campaigned as a Labour candidate in multiple constituencies, including his father’s East Hull seat, but was not selected. In 2015, he secured a role for Gainsborough, though he lost to the Conservatives. His 2017 suspension from Jeremy Corbyn’s team followed harassment allegations, though he denied wrongdoing.

A Green Party representative noted David’s commitment: “He hasn’t publicly criticized Labour out of respect for current members, but he was actively involved in supporting Hannah’s campaign in Gorton and Denton.”

Following the by-election loss, some Labour MPs criticized the government’s direction. “This outcome reflects poor choices by the prime minister,” said John Trickett, emphasizing the need for leadership change. Others called for unity with progressive allies, arguing that Labour’s core supporters are abandoning the party.

“The government has alienated its base,” one MP stated. “Voters are leaving because they feel ignored. Labour must embrace cooperation, democratic reforms, and acknowledge it no longer controls the left-of-centre vote.”

The prime minister acknowledged the Gorton and Denton result as “very disappointing,” but insisted such losses are typical for governing parties. “We will keep fighting,” he pledged, despite the challenges ahead.