Sir Jim Ratcliffe sparks backlash over immigration comments
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has sparked fierce criticism following a Sky News interview in which the billionaire declared that Britain has been “colonised by immigrants,” reports BritPanorama.
The Manchester United co-owner and founder of chemical giant Ineos made the remarks while discussing the nation’s economic challenges. “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in,” Ratcliffe stated. “I mean, the UK is being colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants.”
The Leeds North West representative, Labour MP Alex Sobel, swiftly denounced the comments, branding them “outrageous and inflammatory remarks from an out-of-touch multi-millionaire businessman.” Sobel offered a deeply personal rebuttal, drawing on his own heritage, stating, “My parents came to this country in the 1970s, contributing hugely as educators, business people, and volunteers in the community. Across this country, immigrants have contributed and enriched our culture.”
Sky Sports presenter Dougie Critchley also weighed in, highlighting the irony given Manchester United’s diverse squad, which comprises 14 different nationalities, including English players of Ghanaian descent such as Kobbie Mainoo and Ayden Heaven. Ratcliffe’s political observations extended beyond immigration, with the industrialist praising Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as “an intelligent man” with “good intentions.”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister was characterised by Ratcliffe as “maybe too nice” for the demands of high office. “It’s a tough job, and I think you have to do some difficult things with the UK to get it back on track,” he remarked, suggesting both men share similar qualities but emphasising that effective leadership requires “somebody who’s prepared to be unpopular for a period of time to get the big issues sorted out.”
However, Ratcliffe’s claims about population growth proved factually dubious upon scrutiny. The businessman asserted that Britain’s population stood at 58 million in 2020 before rising to 70 million, representing a 12 million increase. However, Office for National Statistics data indicates the UK population was actually 67 million in mid-2020, with estimates reaching 70 million by 2024. The 58 million figure would only be accurate if referring to the year 2000.
The controversial interview comes amid existing tensions between Ratcliffe and Manchester United supporters, who recently staged protests against the ownership group before the Fulham fixture, citing grievances over ticket pricing and availability. In a country where conversations about immigration often ignite intense debate, Ratcliffe’s remarks have added yet another layer to an already complex narrative, illustrating the fine line between economic realities and societal perceptions.
