John Prescott’s son joins Greens
David Prescott, Son of Labour Deputy PM, Switches to Green Party
Sky News has disclosed that the son of Labour’s former deputy prime minister, John Prescott, has become a member of the Green Party. David Prescott, who once campaigned as a Labour candidate in several constituencies, including his father’s East Hull seat, has now aligned himself with the environmental movement.
The transition occurred in October 2025, exactly a year after John Prescott’s passing. In a social media post, Mr. Prescott was seen participating in Green Party efforts in Gorton and Denton, where the party achieved its first-ever by-election victory. The caption accompanying the image declared:
“What. A. Day. Hope Beat Hate.”
Karl Turner’s Reaction
Karl Turner, who succeeded John Prescott as Labour MP for Hull East in 2010, described the defection as “deeply disheartening” but noted it was “expected given the political climate.” Turner highlighted that David was raised in a Labour stronghold, with a family rooted in socialist ideals and trade union activism. He acknowledged David’s independence, stating, “He was always a man of his own convictions, not merely following in his father’s footsteps.”
Turner speculated that John Prescott would be “furious if he were still alive,” though he suggested the anger would target Labour itself. “The party’s failure to retain progressive voters is a direct consequence of its policies, which have distanced supporters from its core values,” he added.
By-election Impact and Political Shifts
The Greens’ success in Gorton and Denton marked a historic milestone, intensifying fears within Labour about losing progressive voters to rival parties. This trend has been exacerbated by the party’s poor performance in the by-election, which was overshadowed by the escalating Middle East conflict sparked by US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.
A recent YouGov poll for Sky News revealed the Greens surged past Labour, securing 21% support—a four-point increase linked to the campaign’s momentum in the Gorton and Denton contest. The result has fueled calls for Labour to reassess its strategy, with some MPs urging a shift toward alliances with other left-leaning groups.
David’s Political Journey
David Prescott had previously run as a Labour candidate in multiple seats, including East Hull, Greenwich and Woolwich, and Hull West and Hessle, but was not selected. His sole successful bid came in 2015 for Gainsborough, where he lost to Conservative Edward Leigh.
In 2017, David was temporarily suspended from his role as a Jeremy Corbyn aide due to harassment allegations. He contested the claims and the party did not revoke his membership at the time, as no formal complaint was filed.
Green Party Perspective
A Green Party representative remarked, “David has chosen to remain quiet about his switch to show respect for those still loyal to Labour. Yet, he was among 2,000 volunteers who supported Hannah’s campaign in Gorton and Denton.”
Following the by-election loss, which occurred amid the escalating Middle East conflict ignited by US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, some Labour MPs urged the prime minister to reconsider his leadership. John Trickett, representing Normanton and Hemsworth, tweeted, “Labour’s vote loss was widespread, reflecting a national trend. This underscores the need for new leadership, as the current government struggles to hold onto its progressive base.”
Another Labour MP told Sky News, “The result is a clear signal that voters are distancing themselves from the party, which has alienated its core supporters and sidelined grassroots activists. To prevent Reform from gaining traction, Labour must embrace collaboration with other left-leaning parties and commit to democratic reforms.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the Gorton and Denton result as “extremely disappointing” but emphasized that by-election losses are typical for governing parties, vowing to “continue the fight.”