Keir’s gone to Iceland: Starmer palms grocery store boss and ex-Tory Richard Walker a job as his ‘value of residing champion’ – regardless of him score the PM a lacklustre ‘six out of 10’
Sir Keir Starmer has named supermarket boss Richard Walker as his ‘cost of living champion’ – despite him having only given the Prime Minister a ‘six out of 10’ rating.
Lord Walker, who was given a seat for life in the House of Lords by Sir Keir last month, is the chairman of Iceland and the son of the chain’s founder.
He previously hoped to be a Conservative MP but quit the Tories in 2023 before going on to support Labour.
The businessman attended the launch of Labour’s manifesto ahead of the 2024 general election, but later went on to be critical of Sir Keir’s first few months in power.
He last year gave the Government a lacklustre ‘six out of 10’ rating for its performance and also criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves‘ tax hikes on businesses.
Despite his comments, Sir Keir handed Lord Walker – who has previously expressed a desire to be PM himself – a life peerage at the beginning of this year.
Sir Keir has now directly appointed the 45-year-old as his ‘cost of living champion’.
He will work closely with the PM’s No10 policy unit to provide ideas on how to cut household expenses.
Sir Keir Starmer has named Iceland boss Richard Walker as his ‘cost of living champion’ – despite him having only given the Prime Minister a ‘six out of 10’ rating
Lord Walker last year gave the Government a lacklustre ‘six out of 10′ rating for its performance and also criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ tax hikes on businesses
Lord Walker said: ‘I’ve taken on this role for one reason: to get real results for families on the cost of living.
‘Not to talk about it, but to help Government focus on the things that genuinely make a difference.
‘I’ll be bringing real-world business experience and a sense of urgency to this work, looking at the everyday areas that eat into household budgets and where consumers get a rough deal.
‘Regulators are trying, but we need to be bolder in standing up for consumers and turning intent into action.’
Downing Street said the unpaid voluntary role will see Lord Walker report directly to the PM.
No10 added the Labour peer will ‘work across Government while enhancing partnerships with businesses, regulators, and a broad range of organisations’.
In an interview with the Financial Times in February last year, Lord Walker admitted ha had raised eyebrows when he switched from the Tories to backing Labour.
‘I got some funny texts when it came out that I was turning my back on the Tories. David Cameron just sent me one word saying ‘Really?’, he told the newspaper.
