Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth said the party was “delighted” that Richard Walker, managing director of the Icelandic supermarket group, had defected from the Conservatives to Labour.
said the general shadow of the payroll bank GB News“We want to work hand in hand with the business community because we know that this is how you create good, well-paid jobs across the country, this is how you raise living standards, and this is how you drive growth and spread prosperity.
“We are really pleased that Iceland supermarket boss Richard Walker, a former Conservative supporter, has this morning switched his support to Labor because he believes Keir Starmer has the vision and the plan to change this country, and take this country forward. After 14 years in power Conservatives.
“You’ll see more and more people saying: ‘The Conservatives have had it for 14 years, they’re tired, they’re divided, it’s time for a change, enough is enough.’
“We are really pleased to have the endorsement of Richard Walker this morning from Iceland Supermarkets, who is a really important business figure.”
In a breakfast discussion with Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster, he continued: “Your priority and foundation should always be economic stability.
“And that means being clear and disciplined on public finances because we saw, didn’t we, 14 months or so ago, when the Conservatives were irresponsible in their handling of public finances and actually pulled the economy off the cliff.
This led to turmoil in financial markets and a run on retirement funds. And many of your viewers, and many of GB News’ viewers this morning, are paying more on their mortgages as a result of Tory recklessness.
“We will never play fast or loose on public finances, and providing stability is really important. It’s really important because it gives the business community confidence and allows them to make long-term investment decisions, which helps grow your economy, creates good-paying jobs, and raises living standards.”
Regarding the comment of Labor Member of Parliament Kate Osamor, he said: “This is evidence that we are controlling this problem, and that we are tearing apart, we have been torn apart by this evil, this anti-Semitism.”
“We have members who have been expelled from the Labor Party, these people are not welcome in the Labor Party.
“The fact that Kate Osamor has been suspended and an investigation is underway shows you how seriously we take this matter.”