John Prescott’s son joins Greens
David Prescott Switches Allegiances to 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. The news marks a significant shift for the family, whose patriarch was a prominent figure in Labour politics for decades.
By-Election Victory Sparks Debate
David Prescott, who previously contested Labour’s nomination in several constituencies, including his late father’s seat, now aligns with the Greens. His father, John Prescott, served alongside Tony Blair for a decade before passing away in 2024.
David was born into the Labour Party and like myself he was from a rock-solid socialist and trade union family,” said Karl Turner, who represented Hull East for Labour until 2010. “Again like myself, David was politically active from a very young age. David was always his own man not his old man.”
Following the Greens’ first by-election win in Gorton and Denton, a local campaign that culminated in a historic victory, David was seen alongside activists in the area. The Facebook post included a caption celebrating the day as “What. A. Day. Hope Beat Hate.”
Labour Faces Internal Challenges
Labour’s recent setback in the Gorton and Denton contest has raised concerns about its ability to retain progressive voters. The party lost ground to both Reform and the Greens, highlighting fears of fragmentation within its base.
“Stopping Reform now has to be the priority. But Labour can’t do that from a position of arrogance or denial. We will need to work with other progressive parties. That means cooperation. It means democratic reform. It means accepting we do not own the centre-left vote,” remarked an unnamed Labour MP.
The Greens surged to 21% in a YouGov poll for Sky News, surpassing Labour. The pollster attributed this growth to increased visibility from the Gorton and Denton campaign.
David’s Political Journey and Past Roles
Before his move to the Greens, David had vied for Labour candidacy in multiple regions, though he was not selected in key races. Notably, he secured a role as the Labour candidate for Gainsborough in 2015 but fell short against the Conservative Edward Leigh.
David was temporarily suspended from assisting Jeremy Corbyn in 2017 due to harassment allegations. He contested the claims and remained an active member until the suspension was lifted.
Public Support and Party Reactions
A Green Party representative noted that David had not publicly announced his switch in a display of respect for remaining Labour supporters. However, the group highlighted his involvement in the Gorton and Denton campaign, which drew over 2,000 volunteers.
The prime minister acknowledged the by-election outcome as “very disappointing,” while emphasizing that such results are not unusual for governing parties. He pledged to continue pushing for progress.