John Prescott’s son joins Greens
David Prescott Joins Green Party After Father’s Passing
Sky News has uncovered that David Prescott, son of the late Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott, has become a member of the Green Party. The announcement follows the death of his father, who served as a key figure in the Labour Party alongside Tony Blair for a decade.
David Prescott, one of John’s two children with his spouse Pauline, recently affiliated with the Greens in October 2025. This comes a year after his father’s passing, marking a significant shift in his political allegiance.
By-Election Victory Sparks Debate
In a recent social media post, David appeared with Green campaigners in Gorton and Denton, where the party secured its first by-election win in history. The caption accompanying the image read:
“What. A. Day. Hope Beat Hate.”
Labour’s Response to the Defection
Karl Turner, who assumed John Prescott’s Hull East constituency in the 2010 general election, described the move as “hugely disappointing” yet “no surprise.” He noted David’s upbringing in a Labour family and his early political involvement, emphasizing that the younger Prescott “was always his own man, not his old man.”
“I suspect John Prescott would be furious if he were still alive,” Turner remarked. “But his anger would be directed at Labour for allowing progressive voters to defect to a party he viewed as a more left-leaning alternative to the one he spent his career shaping for the better.”
Political Fallout and Strategic Shifts
The Greens’ success in Gorton and Denton has intensified concerns within Labour about losing support to both Reform and progressive rivals. A recent YouGov poll for Sky News showed the party overtaking Labour in a national ranking, rising to 21% as a result of heightened public attention following the by-election.
Labour MPs have criticized the outcome, with one stating it was a “punch in the face” for the party and Keir Starmer’s leadership. They argue the government has alienated its core supporters and called for alliances with other left-leaning groups to reclaim lost votes.
David’s Political Journey
David previously ran as a Labour candidate in multiple constituencies, including his father’s East Hull seat and Greenwich and Woolwich. Despite his efforts, he was not selected for these roles. However, he successfully contested Gainsborough in 2015, losing to Conservative Edward Leigh.
His political career took a turn in 2017 when he was temporarily suspended from Jeremy Corbyn’s team due to harassment allegations. David denied the claims, and the party did not revoke his membership as no formal complaint was filed.
Green Party’s Perspective
A spokesperson for the Greens stated:
“David has not publicly commented on his decision to join the party out of respect for colleagues still within Labour. Still, he played a vital role in the campaign that helped Hannah win, and we’re grateful for his support.”
The by-election’s outcome, overshadowed by the Middle East conflict ignited by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, has prompted calls for leadership changes. Labour MP John Trickett criticized the prime minister, asserting the result reflected poor strategic choices and the need for a fundamental reevaluation of the party’s direction.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer admitted the Gorton and Denton performance was “very disappointing” but framed it as a common occurrence for ruling parties, vowing to “keep fighting” despite the setback.
