John Prescott’s son joins Greens
John Prescott’s Son Joins Green Party
Sky News has learned that David Prescott, the offspring of John Prescott, the former Labour deputy prime minister, has transitioned to the Green Party. The move marks a significant shift for the family, which once held strong ties to the Labour movement.
Defection Sparks Debate
David, who shared a decade-long political partnership with Sir Tony Blair, formally affiliated with the Greens in October 2025—a year following his father’s passing. His latest step comes after the Green Party secured its inaugural by-election win in Gorton and Denton, as captured in a recent social media post.
“What a day—Hope beats hate.”
Labour’s Reaction to the Shift
Karl Turner, who took over the Labour seat in Hull East from John Prescott in 2010, expressed dismay at the defection. “This is a major blow, though not entirely unexpected,” he remarked, highlighting David’s upbringing in a socialist household and his early political engagement.
“David was born into the Labour Party and like myself, he emerged from a family deeply rooted in socialist ideals and trade unionism. Yet, he has always made his own choices. I believe John Prescott would be incensed if he were alive today, but his ire would be directed at Labour for losing progressive supporters to a more left-leaning alternative.”
By-election Impact and Poll Trends
The Gorton and Denton by-election, which saw Labour face its most severe setback in recent memory, has intensified scrutiny of the party’s direction. In a striking poll by YouGov for Sky News, the Greens surged to 21%, a four-point rise attributed to the publicity surrounding the election.
Meanwhile, David Prescott, one of John’s two children with his spouse Pauline, had previously contested Labour nominations in multiple constituencies, including his father’s East Hull seat. Despite his efforts, he was not selected for these roles. However, he managed to win the Labour candidacy for Gainsborough in 2015, only to lose to Conservative Edward Leigh.
Controversy and Support
In 2017, David was temporarily removed from his role as an aide to Jeremy Corbyn due to allegations of harassment. He contested the claims and the party opted not to revoke his membership, as no formal complaint was submitted.
“David hasn’t publicly commented on his decision to join the Greens, respecting his remaining Labour allies. Yet, he was among 2,000 volunteers who aided Hannah’s campaign, and we’re grateful for his contribution.”
Labour’s Struggle for Unity
Amid the by-election fallout, some Labour MPs have pointed to the Middle East conflict—sparked by US and Israeli strikes on Iran—as a factor influencing voter behavior. One MP, John Trickett of Normanton and Hemsworth, stated: “Labour’s loss was in all directions, a reflection of the Prime Minister’s strategic missteps. The party needs fresh leadership to reclaim its footing.”
Another Labour representative criticized the government for alienating its core electorate, suggesting a coalition with other progressive parties might be necessary. “We can’t ignore the truth—voters are leaving because we’ve sidelined the very people we aimed to represent,” they argued.
Prime Minister’s Response
The Prime Minister acknowledged the by-election result as “very disappointing” but emphasized that such setbacks are typical for ruling parties. “We remain committed to the fight,” he said, vowing to continue the party’s efforts despite the challenges.
Read more from Sky News: My run-in with John Prescott, Can Starmer find a way back?