Labour Dynasty Defection: John Prescott's Son Joins Greens After By-Election Win
In a striking political realignment, David Prescott, the son of former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott, has officially joined the Green Party. This move follows the Greens' sensational victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election last week, where they secured a key Commons seat, leaving Labour in a humiliating third place behind Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
A Family Legacy Upended
David Prescott, who once attempted to become a Labour MP himself, is believed to have become a member of the Green Party last October, approximately a year after his father's passing. His father, John Prescott, served as deputy prime minister for a decade under Tony Blair and was a cornerstone of that government. The defection was highlighted in a Facebook post by Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski, who celebrated reaching 200,000 party members by welcoming David Prescott alongside activists in Gorton and Denton.
Karl Turner, the Labour MP who succeeded John Prescott in Hull East, expressed his disappointment, calling the move "hugely disappointing" but "no surprise." He noted that David Prescott was "born into the Labour Party" and came from a "rock-solid socialist and trade union family," yet was always his own person. Turner speculated that John Prescott would be "furious" today, but directed that anger at Labour for allowing progressive voters to drift to what they perceive as a more left-wing alternative.
Political Fallout and Polling Shifts
The defection comes amid a period of intense turmoil for Labour. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to "keep on fighting" despite the by-election loss in a constituency once considered a Labour stronghold. However, furious backbenchers are questioning his leadership, with some telling The Independent that his departure is now "just a question of when, not if."
Labour's woes were compounded earlier this week when a new YouGov poll for Sky News revealed that the Greens have overtaken Labour to become the second most popular party in the UK. Following their by-election win, Green support surged by four points to 21 percent, while Labour and the Conservatives tied at 16 percent each—both down two points, marking Labour's lowest recorded score. Reform UK leads with 23 percent, down one point, and the Liberal Democrats remain steady at 14 percent.
David Prescott's Political Journey
David Prescott previously stood as a Labour candidate in the Gainsborough constituency during the 2015 general election, losing to Conservative Edward Leigh. In 2017, while serving on Jeremy Corbyn's team, he was temporarily suspended after allegations were made against him, though he denied the claims and Labour later stated no formal complaint was filed.
This defection underscores a broader shift in British politics, as traditional party loyalties fracture and smaller parties gain momentum. The Green Party's rise, fueled by members like David Prescott, signals a growing appetite for progressive alternatives in an increasingly volatile political landscape.
