// Iceland managing director Richard Walker has been named as a Conservative parliamentary candidate
// Walker has been a vocal campaigner on a variety of social, environmental and political issues
Iceland boss Richard Walker has launched a bid to become a Conservative MP.
The grocer, who was awarded an OBE for services to business and the environment earlier this year, has been named on the Tory party’s approved list of parliamentary candidates, according to Retail Week.
There is no guarantee that Walker, who has become one of the retail industry’s most vocal campaigners, will be selected to stand for a seat at this stage.
He must now apply to be shortlisted for a seat and wait to see if one becomes available before the next general election.
However, there is a stringent selection process before he would be able to stand.
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Walker has taken a stand on many social, environmental and political issues from sustainability to the cost-of-living crisis.
Earlier this year he joined the government’s business council and said that “having a seat at the table will enable business leaders to support government in its ambitions to bolster our economy while levelling up, confront issues facing our sector, make sustainable choices and future-proof our business landscape”.
However, he has been critical of the government at times. Earlier this month, he described Liz Truss’ priorities as “odd” and said he was puzzled by tax cuts for the wealthy coupled with a lack of support for those on low incomes.
He urged the government to increase Universal Credit at the time.
Walker is not the only retailer to have launched a political career. Current M&S chairman Archie Norman was the MP for Tunbridge Wells between 1997 and 2005, while many others including Next chief executive Lord Wolfson and Asda chair Lord Rose hold seats in the House of Lords.
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