John Prescott’s son joins Greens

John Prescott’s Son Joins Green Party

Sky News has learned that the son of former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott has become a member of the Green Party. David Prescott, who was raised in a family that worked with Sir Tony Blair for a decade, made the switch in October 2025, a year after his father’s passing.

By-election Context

In a recent Facebook post, David Prescott was pictured with Green activists in Gorton and Denton, where the party achieved its first by-election win last week. The caption read: “What. A. Day. Hope Beat Hate.”

Labour’s Response

Karl Turner, who replaced John Prescott as the Labour MP for Hull East in 2010, shared his thoughts with Sky News. “David’s departure is ‘hugely disappointing’ yet ‘no surprise,'” he said. “He was born into a Labour family with deep socialist and trade union ties, like myself. But David has always been his own man, independent of his father’s legacy.”

“David was always an independent thinker, not merely following his father’s footsteps.”

Turner also speculated that John Prescott would be “furious” if he were still alive, suggesting the former deputy prime minister would direct his anger at Labour for allowing progressive voters to shift toward a more radical alternative. “The party has alienated its core supporters and ignored the needs of those it was meant to represent,” he added.

Political Implications

The by-election loss follows Labour’s significant setback in Gorton and Denton, where they finished third, behind Reform and the Greens. This outcome has raised concerns about the party’s ability to retain its base, as progressive voters increasingly move to left-leaning options.

A recent YouGov poll for Sky News showed the Green Party climbing four points to 21%, partly due to the publicity surrounding the Gorton and Denton contest. The victory has intensified fears that Labour is losing ground to both right-wing and left-wing challengers.

Background on David Prescott

David, one of John’s two sons with his wife Pauline, had previously sought Labour candidacy in several seats, including East Hull, Greenwich and Woolwich, and Hull West and Hessle. Despite these efforts, he was not selected. However, he did secure a place in the 2015 general election for Gainsborough, though he lost to Conservative MP Edward Leigh.

In 2017, David was suspended from his role as an aide to Jeremy Corbyn following harassment allegations. He denied the claims, and the party did not revoke his membership at the time due to the lack of formal complaints.

“A Green Party source noted that David has not publicly shared his decision to join out of respect for remaining Labour members. But he was one of 2,000 volunteers who helped secure Hannah’s election in Gorton and Denton.”

MPs’ Calls for Change

Labour MPs, reacting to the by-election loss, highlighted the need for leadership changes. John Trickett, representing Normanton and Hemsworth, argued that the result reflected poor political choices by the prime minister. “Labour is losing votes in every direction, and the same pattern repeats across the country,” he said.

“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?”

Another MP called the outcome a “punch in the face” for the party and Keir Starmer’s leadership. They advocated for a progressive alliance, emphasizing that Labour must collaborate with other left-wing parties to regain relevance