Iceland's leader Richard Walker leaves Conservatives, 'out of touch'

Richard Walker said he was «never prepared to wear a gag to take over.» Photo: Christopher Pledger for The Telegraph

The head of an Icelandic supermarket chain has quit the Conservative Party, criticizing it for being«very out of touch with reality.»

Richard Walker, who tried to run for office as a Conservative MP, announced he had «now reached the end of the road» with the Tories, citing the party's net zero approach.

Mr Walker was on the confirmed list of Conservative candidates but said “I was never prepared to wear a gag to get a seat.”

In an article for The Guardian, the businessman said:“ It is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid the conclusion that the Conservative Party is wildly out of touch with reality.

“I am certainly not prepared to compromise with a party that has clearly lost its way in its approach to net zero and the environment environment in particular.

“While my views on all these issues seem to resonate with people in the real world, I have been made very clear that they are not in favor with the top of the Conservative Party — and that if I want to progress as a parliamentary candidate, I will need to adjust your principles and values.

“Indeed, many Conservatives I know now find it difficult to disagree that the country is in significantly worse shape than when their party returned to power 13 years ago.”

What should the government do about HS2?

Mr Walker also criticized the government's apparent hesitation over HS2, saying the UK was «crying out» for stability and certainty.

“Simply to focus on major projects, starting with H – Hinckley Point, Heathrow and HS2 – the Government's apparent failure to deliver is devastating to both its reputation and business confidence.”

‌Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister The minister rejected the Icelandic boss's claims that his party was outdated, insisting his recent political moves were for working people.

BBC correspondent Laura Kuenssberg told Mr Sunak: «I know some of your colleagues will say he's grumpy because he wanted to be a Conservative MP and couldn't find a seat to stand.»

Prime Minister replied: «I think he was trying to stand as a Conservative candidate.» but he was talking about zero result, he was talking about us giving priority to working people. This is the decision I have made.”

Mr Walker, whose father founded the high street supermarket chain of which he is now executive chairman, announced his bid to become a Conservative MP last year.

Having left the Tory party, the businessman on Sunday denied claims that he was joining the Labor Party and will appear at its conference next week.

“Like many others, I remains open to persuasion regarding who to support. at the next general election,” he wrote. “That’s all for another day. There is currently one party ticket in the shredder, and it is blue.”