John Prescott’s son joins Greens
John Prescott’s son joins Greens
Sky News has learned that David Prescott, the son of former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott, has become a member of the Green Party.
David Prescott, whose father worked with Sir Tony Blair for a decade, joined the Greens in October 2025, one year following his father’s passing. His involvement in the campaign for Gorton and Denton, where the party secured its first by-election victory, was highlighted in a recent Facebook post.
“What. A. Day. Hope Beat Hate.”
Karl Turner, who replaced John Prescott as Hull East MP in 2010, called the defection “hugely disappointing” but “no surprise.”
“Born into the Labour Party, David shared his father’s roots in a steadfast socialist and trade union family,” said Turner. “Yet, David was politically engaged from an early age, always making his own decisions rather than simply following his father’s lead.”
Turner added that he believes John Prescott would be incensed if he were still alive. “His frustration would target the Labour Party for enabling progressive voters to shift to a more left-leaning alternative, one they view as offering a progressive vision contrary to the party’s long-standing mission to uplift the many, not just the few,” he noted.
This development follows Labour’s most significant by-election loss in Gorton and Denton, where the party placed third, trailing Reform and the Greens. The result has intensified fears that Labour is losing progressive voters to both the Greens and Reform, particularly over issues like its stance on the war in Gaza.
According to a recent YouGov poll for Sky News, the Green Party surged past Labour to claim second place. The party’s support rose by four percentage points to 21%, largely fueled by the media attention surrounding the Gorton and Denton by-election, the pollster explained.
David Prescott, one of John’s two sons with his wife Pauline, had previously sought Labour candidacy in several constituencies, including East Hull, Greenwich and Woolwich, and Hull West and Hessle, yet was not selected. However, he secured the Labour candidacy for Gainsborough in 2015 but fell short against Conservative MP Edward Leigh.
In 2017, Mr. Prescott faced suspension from his position as an aide to Jeremy Corbyn due to harassment allegations. He contested the claims, and the party did not remove his membership as no formal complaint was filed.
A Green Party representative stated, “David hasn’t publicly announced his switch to show respect for Labour colleagues, councillors, and MPs. However, he was among the 2,000 volunteers who supported Hannah’s campaign in Gorton and Denton, and we’re grateful for his contribution.”
Following the by-election loss, which was overshadowed by the escalating Middle East conflict ignited by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, several Labour MPs urged the prime minister to reassess his leadership.
John Trickett, Labour MP for Normanton and Hemsworth, tweeted, “Labour’s vote loss in all directions reflects poor political decisions by the prime minister. The party needs new leadership.”
A second Labour MP described the outcome as a “punch in the face” for both the party and Keir Starmer’s leadership, advocating for a progressive coalition. “This government has burned its base, alienated its core vote, sidelined its activists, and stuck two fingers up to the very people we came into politics to represent. And we’re surprised voters are walking away?” they said.
“Stopping Reform now has to be the priority. But Labour can’t do that from a position of arrogance or denial. We will need to work with other progressive parties. That means cooperation. It means democratic reform. It means accepting we do not own the centre-left vote,” they continued. “None of that happens unless Labour changes fundamentally. Not tweaks. Not reshuffles. A clean break.”
The prime minister acknowledged the Gorton and Denton result as “very disappointing” but emphasized that by-election losses are typical for ruling governments, vowing to “keep fighting.”
Read more from Sky News: My run-in with John Prescott Can Starmer find a way back?
