John Prescott’s son joins Greens
John Prescott’s Son Joins Green Party
Sky News reports that David Prescott, the son of former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott, has become a member of the Green Party. The move marks a notable shift in the political landscape, particularly following his father’s passing in 2024.
By-election Triumph and Political Defection
David Prescott, who grew up in a family deeply rooted in Labour politics, recently aligned with the Greens after the party secured its first by-election victory in Gorton and Denton. His involvement was highlighted in a social media post featuring him with Green campaigners, accompanied by a caption that read:
“What. A. Day. Hope Beat Hate.”
Karl Turner, the Labour MP who took over John Prescott’s East Hull constituency in 2010, expressed mixed feelings about the defection. He stated,
“David was born into the Labour Party and came from a family that supported socialist ideals and trade unions. He was politically active early on, but always made his own decisions, independent of his father’s influence.”
Turner added that John Prescott would likely be “furious” if he were still alive, though the anger would target Labour’s leadership rather than the Greens themselves.
The Green Party’s recent success in Gorton and Denton has raised concerns for Labour. The by-election result, which saw the Greens overtake Labour in a YouGov poll, pushed the party’s support to 21%, up four points. This surge was attributed to the campaign’s visibility and public engagement in the area.
David’s Political Journey
David Prescott had previously campaigned for Labour in several constituencies, including his father’s East Hull seat, Greenwich and Woolwich, and Hull West and Hessle. Despite his efforts, he was not selected as a candidate in some races. However, he managed to secure the Labour nomination for Gainsborough in 2015, though he lost to the Conservative Edward Leigh.
Earlier in 2017, David was temporarily removed from his role as an aide to Jeremy Corbyn due to harassment allegations. He denied the claims, and the party did not revoke his membership at the time, as no formal complaint was filed.
Political Reactions and Calls for Change
A Green Party representative noted that David had not publicly discussed his decision to leave Labour, out of respect for those still within the party. They emphasized his contribution to the Gorton and Denton campaign, which helped elect Hannah as the local representative.
Labour MPs have since criticized the by-election outcome, linking it to broader challenges. One member remarked,
“Labour lost votes in every direction, and the same pattern repeats nationwide. This reflects poor choices made by the Prime Minister. A new leadership approach is needed.”
Another warned that the party must “work with other progressive groups” to retain its voter base, urging fundamental reforms rather than superficial adjustments.
The prime minister acknowledged the Gorton and Denton defeat as “very disappointing,” but defended it as a common occurrence for governing parties. They pledged to “continue the fight” despite the setback. Meanwhile, the escalating conflict in the Middle East, sparked by US and Israeli actions in Iran, has overshadowed the result in public discourse.
Read more from Sky News: My run-in with John Prescott and Can Starmer find a way back?