Jonathan Ashworth has said the party is “delighted” that Richard Walker, managing director of the Iceland supermarket group, has defected from the Tories to Labour
Labour's Jonathan Ashworth has said the party is “delighted” that Richard Walker, managing director of the Iceland supermarket group, has defected from the Tories to Labour.
The Shadow Paymaster General told GB News: “We want to work with the business community hand in hand because we know that's the way in which you create good well paid jobs across the country, it is how you drive up living standards, is how you drive up growth and spread prosperity.
“We're really delighted that this morning, the head of Iceland supermarkets, Richard Walker, a former Conservative supporter, has switched his support to Labour because he believes Keir Starmer has the vision and the plan to change this country, take this country forward after 14 years of the Tories.
“You're going to see more and more people say, ‘you know what, the Tories have had 14 years, they’re tired, they’re divided, it’s time for change, enough is enough’.
“We're really pleased to have the endorsement of Richard Walker this morning from Iceland supermarkets, a really significant business figure.”
In a discussion during Breakfast with Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster, he continued: “Your priority and the foundation always has to be economic stability.
“And that means being clear and disciplined with the public finances because we saw, didn't we, 14 or so months ago, when the Conservatives were irresponsible with the public finances and effectively ran the economy off a cliff.
“That led to turmoil on the money markets and a run on pension funds. And so many of your viewers, so many GB News viewers this morning are paying more on their mortgage as a consequence of the recklessness of the Conservatives.
“We will never play fast and loose with the public finances and offering stability is really significant. It's really important because it gives the business community confidence and it allows them to take the long-term decisions to invest, which helps grow your economy, create good paying jobs, and raise living standards.”
On the suspension of Labour MP Kate Osamor, he said: “This is proof that we are gripping this problem, that we tearing, we've torn that evil, that anti-semitism.
“We have members that have been kicked out of the Labour Party, they're not welcome in the Labour Party, those people.
“The fact that Kate Osamor has been suspended and there's an investigation shows you how seriously we're taking this.”
