Richard Walker, the influential chairman of supermarket giant Iceland, is reportedly set to be nominated for a Labour peerage. Sources within the Labour party have confirmed the impending nomination, emphasizing Walker’s dedication as “a committed champion of families dealing with the cost of living” and anticipating he “will be a strong voice in Parliament.”
Walker, 45, made headlines in 2023 when he departed from the Conservative Party. His shift in allegiance became more apparent when he was observed attending the launch of Labour’s manifesto for the 2024 general election. He took the helm of the frozen food retailer from his father, the company’s founder, in 2023.
Previously, Walker was a prominent figure among Conservative candidates seeking to become an MP and served on the then-Tory government’s business council in 2022, a position he described as an “honour.” However, just 18 months later, he expressed his inability to continue supporting the party, stating it was “out of touch” and critiquing its handling of the economy and climate change. He subsequently publicly endorsed Labour, expressing his belief that now-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer “has exactly what it takes to be a great leader.”
In February of this year, Walker assessed the new government’s performance, giving it a “six out of 10” and noting concerns over rising employer national insurance contributions while commending efforts to strengthen relations with the European Union. Millenium TV understands that while Labour holds a majority in the House of Commons, it currently faces a numerical disadvantage in the House of Lords, with 210 peers compared to the Tories’ 282. Walker was awarded an OBE in the 2022 Birthday Honours for his contributions to business and the environment.
© Millenium TV
