Richard Walker: Boss of Deeside based Iceland quits Conservative Party over policy and environmental concerns

The boss of Deeside-based Iceland, Richard Walker, has resigned from the Conservative Party, citing a profound disconnect with the party’s current direction.

In an article for The Guardian, Richard Walker, the executive chairman of the frozen food retailer who aspired to become a Tory MP, stated, “I have now reached the end of the road with the Conservative Party, cancelled my membership, and resigned from their list of approved parliamentary candidates.”

“As events have unfolded since the election of 2019, it has become increasingly challenging to avoid concluding that the Conservative Party has gravely drifted out of touch with business, the economy, and the everyday needs of the British people,” he said.

Walker expressed his initial support for the Conservatives, rooted in his belief in the party’s commitment to free enterprise and environmental conservation. However, his experience unveiled a different reality.

He shared his ongoing efforts through Iceland to combat the cost-of-living crisis, which included extensive price reductions, weekly discounts for over-60s, and offering interest-free microloans.

Walker said his views “have been consistent and reflect the roots of my family business and the communities it serves. I have always passionately believed in social mobility, social justice, and environmental democracy, as laid out in my 2021 book The Green Grocer.”

He added: On the environment, we were the world’s first food retailer to pledge to achieve net zero carbon by 2040 and have taken many other industry-leading initiatives on issues from plastics to palm oil.

“While my views on all these topics seem to resonate with people in the real world, it was made glaringly clear to me that they did not find favour with those at the top of the Conservative Party – and that if I wanted to progress as a parliamentary candidate, I would need to adjust my principles and values.”

Emphasising his unwavering refusal to compromise his values for political gain, Walker noted, “I was never prepared to wear a gag to bag a seat.”

His dissatisfaction was further intensified by the UK government’s evident lack of commitment to environmental issues, including a recent retreat on carbon reduction deadlines.

This move, he noted, was “cynical beyond belief,” mirroring the Prime Minister’s clear disinterest in crucial green issues.

He stated, “Today’s reality is that we have a nominally Conservative government, yet I struggle to name a single thing they are actually conserving. Certainly not the business sector or our economy, the vitality of our high streets or the safety of my retail colleagues, our farming and rural communities, our rivers and seas, our net zero obligations, our NHS, our schools, our reputation for decency and fairness, or the future prosperity of our children and grandchildren.”

Among his sharp criticisms, Walker also discussed the government’s consistent failures with major projects like Hinkley Point, Heathrow, and HS2, linking these directly to the nation’s sluggish economy.

His frustrations culminated in his decisive resignation from the Conservative Party, as he underscored his desire to back a party with a strong and detailed commitment to sustainable green growth and collaborative state and free-market endeavours.

Concluding his article, Walker voiced a hopeful vision for future political alignment. He underscored his current political independence, remaining open to parties ready to prioritise the nation’s economic, environmental, and social welfare in their manifestos.