John Prescott’s son joins Greens
John Prescott’s Son Joins Green Party
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. His father, who served alongside Tony Blair for a decade, passed away a year before his son’s decision to switch parties.
The move follows the Greens’ historic by-election win in Gorton and Denton, which occurred in October 2025. David, who previously campaigned as a Labour candidate in multiple constituencies, including his father’s East Hull seat, failed to secure selection in some races but succeeded in Gainsborough in 2015, losing to Conservative Edward Leigh.
Political Defection and Public Reaction
In a Facebook post, David was seen with Green activists in the Gorton and Denton area, accompanied by a caption that read: “What. A. Day. Hope Beat Hate.” Karl Turner, Labour’s former MP for Hull East, expressed disappointment over the defection, calling it “hugely disappointing” yet “no surprise.”
“David was born into the Labour Party and shared his family’s strong socialist roots. Still, he was always independent, making his own political choices.”
Turner added that John Prescott would likely be “furious” if he were alive, attributing the shift to Labour’s failure to retain progressive voters. “The Greens offer a more left-leaning alternative, and David’s departure reflects a growing frustration with the party’s direction,” he said.
Labour’s Struggles and Strategic Shifts
The by-election outcome marked a significant setback for Labour, as the party came third in the race, behind Reform and the Greens. This result has intensified concerns within the party about losing support to both right-wing and left-wing rivals. Progressive voters, disillusioned by Labour’s stance on the Gaza conflict, have increasingly moved toward the Greens.
Following the loss, a Green Party source noted: “David hasn’t publicly commented on his switch out of respect for Labour colleagues. Yet he played a key role in helping Hannah secure victory in Gorton and Denton.”
Public Opinion and Leadership Calls
A recent YouGov poll for Sky News revealed the Greens surged to 21%, up four points, partly due to the publicity from the Gorton and Denton contest. Meanwhile, some Labour MPs have criticized the party’s leadership, urging a change in strategy.
John Trickett, representing Normanton and Hemsworth, tweeted: “Labour lost votes in all directions. This reflects poor political decisions by the prime minister. A leadership overhaul is essential.”
Another Labour MP described the result as “a punch in the face for the party and Keir Starmer’s leadership,” suggesting collaboration with other progressive groups to reclaim support. “Labour must embrace democratic reforms and recognize it no longer holds the center-left vote alone,” they argued.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the “very disappointing” performance in Gorton and Denton but emphasized that by-election losses are a common challenge for governing parties. He vowed to “keep fighting” to restore Labour’s standing.
Read more from Sky News: My run-in with John Prescott | Can Starmer find a way back?
