Iceland boss Richard Walker has slammed prime minister Rishi Sunak and the Conservative party for celebrating the drop in inflation.
Speaking with Sky’s Sophie Ridge on the Politics Hub show, Walker stated that a slowing of food inflation was welcomed, but pointed out that it still meant higher prices for shoppers struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
“Of course, that is welcomed by my customers because we’re not in this endless increasing inflationary cycle,” said the Iceland executive chair, adding: “Our customers aren’t celebrating – they are still in a cost-of-living crisis.”
“So a decline in the rate of interest is not a reversal in the cost-of-living in crisis for my customers – which is why it’s a little bit unedifying to see Rishi [Sunak] celebrating that he has single-handedly halved inflation when, of course, we know it’s nothing to do with him – it’s the Bank of England and global economic factors.”
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The Iceland boss also alleged he had been “told off” by “very senior figures in the [Conservative] party” for his candid views on food banks.
In response to queries about his previous attempts to become a Tory party candidate, Walker stated “they didn’t want me”.
He added: “I refuse to change my values and principles to suit a party that I think has itself lost its way.”
Walker’s comments follow the Office for National Statistics (ONS) releasing data that showed food inflation unexpectedly fell to 9.2% – a figure still above the Bank of England’s target.
1 Comment. Leave new
His comments are his alone. As are mine. He also seems to hold a grudge against the Conservative government and party for not selecting him as a Conservative candidate in an election. He does realise that should he become a candidate and get elected to parliament. He will have to give his job as CEO of Iceland.