Manchester United Co-Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe Makes Controversial Immigration Comments
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has sparked significant controversy by declaring that "the UK has been colonised by immigrants" during a recent interview with Sky News. The billionaire founder and chairman of chemical giant Ineos made these remarks while discussing the nation's economic and political challenges.
Ratcliffe's Stark Assessment of UK Immigration
In his interview, Ratcliffe presented a dire view of Britain's current situation, stating: "You can't have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in. I mean, the UK is being colonised. It's costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants."
The industrialist emphasized that politicians must demonstrate courage to address what he perceives as critical issues facing the country. "If you really want to deal with the major issues of immigration, with people opting to take benefits rather than working for a living, if you want to deal with that, then you are going to have to do some things which are unpopular and show some courage," Ratcliffe asserted.
Political Figures Under Ratcliffe's Scrutiny
Ratcliffe offered assessments of prominent political figures during the interview, describing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as "maybe too nice" for the demands of leadership. "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 commented regarding the Prime Minister's position.
Conversely, the Manchester United co-owner praised Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as an "intelligent man" with "good intentions." However, Ratcliffe noted similarities between Farage and Starmer, suggesting both initially entered politics with positive aspirations. "But in a way, you could say exactly the same about Keir when Keir came in," he observed.
Ratcliffe concluded that Britain requires leadership willing to make unpopular decisions: "I think it needs somebody who's prepared to be unpopular for a period of time to get the big issues sorted out."
Ratcliffe's Manchester United Involvement and Fan Backlash
Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased a minority stake in Manchester United in late 2023, with his Ineos group subsequently assuming control of football operations at the historic club. Since joining the ownership structure, Ratcliffe has overseen numerous contentious changes that have generated significant dissatisfaction among supporters.
Ticket pricing adjustments and availability issues have particularly angered the Manchester United fanbase. This discontent culminated in a recent protest before United's home match against Fulham, marking the first demonstration targeting Ratcliffe alongside the Glazer family, who retain majority ownership of the club.
The billionaire's business background includes founding and leading Ineos, one of the world's largest chemical companies, which has provided him with substantial influence in both industrial and sporting spheres.
