The boss of Iceland supermarkets has quit the Conservatives ahead of the party conference in Manchester.
Richard Walker launched a bid to stand for Parliament as an MP in October last year.
The businessman, whose father founded the frozen food chain, had been named on the Conservatives’ approved list of parliamentary candidates, but it didn’t take him long to turn his back on them.
Speaking to Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC, he announced that he had quit the party, labelling it “out of touch”.
“It’s become clear to me over recent months that the Conservative Party are drifting out of touch with the needs of business, of the environment and the everyday people my business touches and serves.”
He also hit out at what he called a “sluggish economy” and “high levels of regional inequality”.
“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 kids and grandkids.”
Walker claimed he was warned by senior Conservative figures that his outspoken views on the environment and social issues weren’t welcome, but he had concluded: “I won’t wear a gag to bag a seat.
“I am not prepared to change my values and principles to suit a party that has itself lost its way.”
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