Iceland boss Richard Walker to change into Labour peer, sources say | EUROtoday

The chairman of the grocery store chain Iceland might be nominated for a Labour peerage, sources inside the celebration have confirmed.

They mentioned Richard Walker was “a committed champion of families dealing with the cost of living” and “will be a strong voice in Parliament”.

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

He assumed management of the frozen meals retailer from his father, who based the chain, in 2023.

Mr Walker was amongst a protracted record of Conservative candidates to face to be an MP, having been chosen to be a member of the then-Tory authorities’s enterprise council in 2022.

At the time he mentioned he was “honoured” by the place.

However, 18 months later, he mentioned he may now not assist the celebration, telling the BBC on the time it was “out of touch” and criticising it for its dealing with of the economic system and local weather change.

Mr Walker then threw his assist behind Labour, writing within the Guardian that now-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer “has exactly what it takes to be a great leader”.

In February this yr, he gave the brand new authorities a rating of “six out of 10” in feedback to the Financial Times, taking concern with it elevating employer nationwide insurance coverage contributions however praising its makes an attempt to enhance relations with the EU.

Despite having a majority within the House of Commons, Labour is presently outnumbered within the Lords, with 210 friends to the Tories’ 282.

Mr Walker was made an OBE within the 2022 Birthday Honours for companies to enterprise and the setting.