Jim Ratcliffe Criticized for Immigration Comments

Jim Ratcliffe, who co-owns Manchester United, said that the UK has been 'colonised' by immigrants. His words have made many people upset, including politicians and football fans. Critics say his comments are wrong and point out he lives in Monaco for tax reasons.
By Newsroom | Business, UK Politics |

A Storm Brews Over Tycoon's Words on UK Immigration

Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United and founder of Ineos, has ignited a significant debate following recent comments where he suggested the UK has been "colonised" by immigrants. The remarks, made during an interview with Sky News, have drawn widespread condemnation from political figures, including the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, as well as from football supporters and anti-discrimination groups. Critics have labelled Ratcliffe's statements as "offensive," "divisive," and factually inaccurate, while also pointing to his personal tax arrangements as a basis for hypocrisy.

Jim Ratcliffe accused of hypocrisy after saying UK ‘colonised’ by immigrants - 1

Timeline of Events and Key Players

The controversy unfolded rapidly over a short period.

Jim Ratcliffe accused of hypocrisy after saying UK ‘colonised’ by immigrants - 2

  • Recent Interview: Jim Ratcliffe, speaking to Sky News, voiced his opinion that the UK population has risen significantly due to immigration, stating, "I mean, the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it’s 70 million. That’s 12 million people." He also stated, "The UK has been colonised." He further linked immigration to people choosing benefits over work, suggesting that addressing this requires unpopular measures.

  • Political Response:

  • Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, condemned the remarks, calling them "offensive and wrong" and asserting that Britain is a "proud, tolerant and diverse country." He has called for an apology from Ratcliffe.

  • Leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer, echoed this sentiment, labelling Ratcliffe's claim as "offensive and wrong" and demanding an immediate apology.

  • Justice Minister Jake Richards called Ratcliffe's language "ugly" and "frankly wrong," questioning his credibility to comment on immigration due to his relocation to Monaco.

  • Football Community Reaction:

  • The Manchester United Supporters Trust stated that comments from senior club leadership should "make inclusion easier, not harder," and that "this type of language and leadership has no place in English football."

  • The Manchester United Muslim Supporters’ Club accused Ratcliffe of fueling far-right hate speech and legitimising prejudice.

  • Kick It Out, a football anti-discrimination body, described Ratcliffe's comments as "disgraceful and deeply divisive."

  • Counter-Arguments and Context:

  • Ratcliffe's claim about population increase from 58 million to 70 million has been contested. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest the UK population was around 67 million in 2020 and had reached approximately 70 million by early 2024.

  • Ratcliffe himself moved to Monaco in 2020, a jurisdiction known for its favourable tax rates. This relocation has been central to the accusations of hypocrisy.

  • Ratcliffe has also reportedly met with Nigel Farage, a prominent figure in the UK's anti-immigration discourse.

Evidence and Statements

  • Jim Ratcliffe's Statements:

    "You can’t have an economy with 9 million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in.""I mean, the UK has been colonised.""The population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it’s 70 million. That’s 12 million people." (Note: ONS figures offer a different population count).He also stated, in the context of leadership: "If you really want to deal with the major issues of immigration, with people opting to take benefits rather than working for a living, then you're going to have to do some things which are unpopular, and show some courage."

  • Official Condemnations:

    Prime Minister: "The Prime Minister thinks that that language is offensive to so many people. Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country."Keir Starmer: "Offensive and wrong. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise."Jake Richards (Justice Minister): "There’s also something that I find quite offensive, that this man who moved to Monaco to save four billion pounds in tax is now lecturing us about immigration." He added, "One might question whether he is the patriot that we need to comment on this issue."

  • Supporter and Organisation Reactions:

    Manchester United Supporters Trust: "Comments from the club’s senior leadership should make inclusion easier, not harder."Kick It Out: "Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments are disgraceful and deeply divisive at a time when football does so much to bring communities together. This type of language and leadership has no place in English football."Manchester United Muslim Supporters’ Club: Accused Ratcliffe of "fuelling far-right hate speech as well as risking ‘legitimising prejudice and deepening division’."

The Immigration Debate and Economic Contributions

Ratcliffe’s remarks touch upon a complex debate regarding immigration's impact on the UK economy and social services.

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Jim Ratcliffe accused of hypocrisy after saying UK ‘colonised’ by immigrants - 3

  • Population Figures:

  • Ratcliffe claimed a rise from 58 million to 70 million people in the UK.

  • Office for National Statistics (ONS) data indicates a UK population of approximately 67 million in 2020, reaching around 70 million by early 2024. This suggests a more modest increase than Ratcliffe’s figures imply.

  • Economic Contribution of Immigrants:

  • Ged Grebby, chief executive of Show Racism the Red Card, argued that immigrants "contribute to the UK economy," particularly highlighting that "the vast majority of immigrants are young people who work and contribute to the economy because they want to make a better life for themselves."

  • This viewpoint contrasts with Ratcliffe's implication that immigrants are a drain on the benefit system.

Tax Arrangements and Accusations of Hypocrisy

A significant line of criticism against Ratcliffe centres on his decision to reside in Monaco.

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Jim Ratcliffe accused of hypocrisy after saying UK ‘colonised’ by immigrants - 4

  • Residency in Monaco: Sir Jim Ratcliffe moved to Monaco in 2020.

  • Reason Cited: Reports suggest this move was to save approximately £4 billion in tax.

  • Impact: This has led to accusations that he is avoiding contributing to the UK tax base while commenting on the country's social and economic issues.

  • Ministerial Scrutiny:

    Jake Richards questioned Ratcliffe's standing: "Given the tycoon’s tax affairs, Mr Richards later told the BBC: “One might question whether he is the patriot that we need to comment on this issue.”

  • Broader Criticism:

    The Mirror reported that Ratcliffe was "branded 'hypocritical' for migration rant after 'moving to Monaco to save £4 billion in tax'."

Ratcliffe's Defense and Wider Comments

Ratcliffe has also framed his comments within a broader context of needing to address difficult issues and make unpopular decisions.

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  • Leadership Parallel: Ratcliffe drew a parallel between the changes he implemented at Manchester United, including layoffs, and the need for decisive action in the country. He stated, "If you do difficult things, which we felt that we had to do at Manchester United… If you really want to deal with the major issues of immigration… then you're going to have to do some things which are unpopular, and show some courage."

  • Meeting with Nigel Farage: Ratcliffe confirmed he had met with Nigel Farage, whom he described as "an intelligent man." This meeting has been highlighted by some as potentially aligning his views with those on the political right regarding immigration.

  • Perceived Misinformation: Some critics, like Ged Grebby, believe Ratcliffe is "perpetuating myths about immigration."

Conclusion and Implications

Jim Ratcliffe's recent statements on immigration have generated considerable backlash, characterized by accusations of hypocrisy, factual inaccuracy, and divisive rhetoric. The core of the controversy lies in the stark contrast between his public commentary on the UK's population and immigration levels and his personal decision to relocate to Monaco for tax benefits. Political leaders across the spectrum have united in condemning his remarks, demanding an apology and emphasizing the UK's diversity.

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The reaction from football bodies and supporters highlights a concern that such language from a prominent figure in the sport could undermine efforts towards inclusion and acceptance. Furthermore, the discrepancy in population figures cited by Ratcliffe and those from official sources raises questions about the basis of his claims. The situation underscores the sensitive nature of the immigration debate in the UK and the scrutiny faced by high-profile individuals when expressing strong opinions on national issues, particularly when their personal circumstances appear to contradict their public statements. The ongoing repercussions may affect Ratcliffe's standing within both the business and sporting communities.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did Jim Ratcliffe say about immigration?
Jim Ratcliffe said that the UK has been 'colonised' by immigrants and that the population has grown a lot. He also said that people choose benefits over work.
Q: Why are people unhappy with his comments?
Many people, including politicians and football groups, say his words are offensive and wrong. They also say he is hypocritical because he lives in Monaco to pay less tax.
Q: What is the truth about the UK population numbers?
Jim Ratcliffe said the population grew from 58 million to 70 million. Official numbers show the UK population was about 67 million in 2020 and around 70 million in early 2024.
Q: What do football groups think?
Groups like the Manchester United Supporters Trust and Kick It Out said his language is not good for football and does not help make people feel included.