Manchester United Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe Sparks Immigration Debate with 'Colonised' Claim
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire co-owner of Manchester United and founder of INEOS, has ignited a fierce political controversy following remarks made during a recent interview with Sky News. The industrialist claimed that the United Kingdom has been effectively "colonised by immigrants" and suggested that Prime Minister Keir Starmer might be "too nice" to handle the nation's profound economic and social challenges.
Controversial Comments on Immigration and Benefits
Ratcliffe argued forcefully that the UK's economic framework cannot sustain the current combination of high immigration levels alongside a significant population receiving state benefits. "You cannot have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in," he stated. "I mean, the UK has been colonised. It's costing too much money."
He elaborated on this point by referencing population growth, asserting, "The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn't it? I mean, the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it's 70 million. That's 12 million people." However, official data from the Office for National Statistics provides a more nuanced picture, estimating the UK population was approximately 67 million in mid-2020 and reached 70 million by mid-2024. The population figure was around 58.9 million back in the year 2000.
Assessment of Political Leadership and Brexit Reflections
The businessman offered a critical assessment of the political leadership required to navigate these issues. "I think it needs somebody who's prepared to be unpopular for a period of time to get the big issues sorted out," Ratcliffe declared. While he acknowledged Prime Minister Starmer possesses positive attributes, he characterized the leader's role as a "tough job" in the current climate.
Ratcliffe, a vocal supporter of the Brexit campaign, also reflected on the outcome of the UK's departure from the European Union. He noted that Brexit "didn't turn out how people anticipated," highlighting that the 2016 referendum campaign "was largely about immigration." He has previously criticized successive Conservative governments for their failure to reduce net migration post-Brexit.
In his interview, he also mentioned Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, describing him as an "intelligent" man "with good intentions," while suggesting Starmer shares similar qualities of intellect and purpose.
Broader Economic Criticisms and Migration Context
Beyond immigration, Ratcliffe levied criticisms at the broader economic management of the country. He asserted that the UK needs to become "sharper on the business front" and must prioritize competitive energy costs to stimulate sustainable economic growth and drive national prosperity.
His comments arrive amidst renewed public and political focus on migration statistics. Recent government data indicates tens of thousands of migrants have arrived in the UK in recent months, including those crossing the English Channel in small boats. Notably, January figures showed a decrease compared to previous years, a reduction widely attributed by analysts to severe winter weather conditions rather than policy shifts.
The remarks from such a high-profile business figure and sports club owner are certain to fuel ongoing debates about immigration policy, economic strategy, and political leadership in the United Kingdom, drawing reactions from across the political spectrum and public discourse.
