Iceland boss Richard Walker to become Labour peer, sources say

Sources within the party have confirmed that the chairman of the Icelandic supermarket chain will be nominated as a Labor Party candidate.

They said Richard Walker was a “committed advocate for families struggling with the costs of living” and “will be a strong voice in Parliament”.

The 45-year-old actor left the Conservative Party in 2023 and was later seen at the launch of Labour’s manifesto for the 2024 general election.

He took over control of the frozen food retailer from his father, who founded the chain, in 2023.

Mr Walker had been selected to become a member of the then Conservative government’s works council in 2022 and was among a long list of Conservative candidates running to become an MP.

He said at the time that he was “honoured” by the position.

However, 18 months later he said he could no longer support the party. I’m telling the BBC was “out of touch” at the time and criticized him for his handling of the economy and climate change.

Mr Walker later threw his support behind Labor, writing: protector current Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer “has what it takes to be a great leader”.

In February this year, he gave the new government a score of “six out of 10” in a comment to the Financial Times, criticizing the government’s increase in employer national insurance contributions but praising its attempts to improve relations with the EU.

Despite having a majority in the House of Commons, Labor is currently outnumbered in the House of Lords; It has 210 MPs to the Conservatives’ 282.

Mr Walker was awarded the OBE title at the 2022 Birthday Honors Ceremony for his services to business and the environment.