Humans are tribal animals, which makes resigning from the political party we have supported all our lives a very big decision indeed – even more so when one has been committed enough to think of standing for parliament for that party.
Nevertheless, I have now reached the end of the road with the Conservative party, cancelled my membership, and resigned from their list of approved parliamentary candidates.
Why was I there in the first place?
Because I believed, as a business creator, owner and manager, that the Conservatives were the natural party of free enterprise. Because I also believed, as an environmentalist, that conservatism went hand-in-hand with conservation. And because I wanted to make a bigger difference than I can make through my own companies: to be a player rather than a commentator on the UK political stage.
However, as events have unfolded since the election of 2019, it has become increasingly difficult to avoid the conclusion that the Conservative party has drifted badly out of touch with business and the economy, and with the everyday needs of the British people.
Indeed, many lifelong Tories I know now find it hard to disagree that the country is in a considerably worse state than it was when their party returned to power 13 years ago.
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.
My own views have been consistent and reflect the roots of my family business and the communities it serves. I have always passionately believed in social mobility, social justice, and environmental democracy, as laid out in my 2021 book The Green Grocer. I continue to believe in the power of free enterprise to deliver these social and economic goals, working in partnership with the state.
At Iceland, we have worked very hard to help our customers and communities through the cost-of-living crisis, with initiatives including more price reductions than any other supermarket, a weekly over-60s discount, our unique Iceland Food Club and offering interest-free microloans.
On the environment, we were the first food retailer in the world to pledge to achieve net zero carbon by 2040 and have taken a host of other industry-leading initiatives on issues from plastics to palm oil.
While my views on all these issues seem to resonate with people in the real world, it was made very clear to me that they did not find favour with those at the top of the Conservative party – and that if I wanted to progress as a parliamentary candidate, I would need to adjust my principles and values.
But I was never prepared to wear a gag to bag a seat – and I am certainly not willing to make compromises with a party which has clearly lost its way on its approach to net zero and the environment in particular. It is plain that the prime minister has no real interest in green issues and his recent row-back on carbon reduction deadlines was, as Lord (Zac) Goldsmith observed, “cynical beyond belief” and a desperate attempt to “turn the environment into a US-style political wedge issue”.
UK plc is crying out for both stability and certainty – and the current Government’s constant changes of direction and failures to make decisions are actively undermining this. Just to focus on major projects beginning with “H” – Hinkley Point, Heathrow and HS2 – the Government’s evident inability to deliver is devastating to both its credibility and to business confidence. Who can sensibly make the long-term investment decisions that are vital to our future prosperity when the goalposts are constantly changing?
This failure is directly reflected in our sluggish economy, which is the result of chronically low investment and productivity, high levels of regional inequality, and the failure to seize new opportunities within the green economy.
Contrary to recent media speculation, I have not joined the Labour party or arranged to appear at its forthcoming conference. Like many others, I remain open to persuasion on who to support at the next general election.
That is all for another day. For the moment, there’s one party card that’s in the shredder, and it’s blue.
By the time that election is eventually called, I very much hope that a party will have stepped up with detailed manifesto commitments to deliver the sustainable green growth on which all our futures depend, through robust working partnerships between the state and the free market. Only this approach can ensure the consistency and fairness that British businesses and families alike are craving.
In the meantime, I shall enjoy my continued freedom to speak out without fear or favour about the issues that matter to me and all the people my business employs and serves.
Richard Walker is the executive chairman of Iceland
