Forum Topic

Jim Rat really is a charmer...

Ratcliffe’s comments on Britain supposedly being “colonised” by immigrants were offensive and plain wrong – he couldn’t even get the population numbers right! But his complaint about the number of people receiving state support and relocating to the UK from abroad was particularly unpleasant, given that his failing companies have received millions and millions of £££s in state support whilst he chose to scuttle off to Monaco to avoid paying his fair share of tax. What a stinking hypocrite!

Richard Carter ● 16h17 Comments

Amazing win by Scotland today. Also, a great result for Ireland against a really stylish Italy, earlier on.Here’s hoping Wales can do the biz against France tomorrow! It would be a miracle, but who would have guessed that Scotland would hammer England after last weekends matches. You can’t beat the six nations!

Gerry Boyce ● 7h

Yes, indeed, Michael. Larry’s arch rival!  Sounds like Palmerston had a fantastic final few years though! Should have posted him to Washington instead of Peter Mountbatten Windsor!

Gerry Boyce ● 8h

Not that Palmerston ...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmerston_(cat)

Michael Ixer ● 8h

"Larry is doing well,  sad about Palmerston."Well, he did die in 1865. I expect that most people are over it now.

David Ainsworth ● 8h

Larry is doing well,  sad about Palmerston.

Michael Ixer ● 8h

I was surprised to hear that Larry The Cat is fifteen this week; he first took up residency when Dave Cameron was PM. I was not surprised to hear that Jim the Rat is a total twat. Glad that Manchester let him know their opinion of him and his offensive, inaccurate and shit stirring comments. Anyway, come on Scotland!!

Gerry Boyce ● 8h

Mr Hawkes,  as Jonathan points out, a significant number of people on UC are in employment; so the government is subsidising employers who underpay their staff? It would be interesting to see the split of those on UC between immigrants and those born in the UK.

Michael Ixer ● 9h

"In fact I'm not sure Rat was much liked before he shot his mouth off."There are few billionaires who are seen as nice people. Probably because there are few billionaires who are nice people.

David Ainsworth ● 9h

‘Colonised’ was a clumsy term to use, but the sentiment was correct.  In my opinion

Sue Hammond ● 10h

I have followed Manchester United since I was at school.  I can say that most fans I am in touch with are appalled by Sir Rat's comments.  I certainly am.  He has damaged the club he paid so much to take footballing control of.  The fans are upset, the staff are upset, and many of the players (from well over a dozen foreign countries) are upset too.  And most fans agree with Andy Burnham whose "virtue signalling" is nothing of the sort - it is just possible for him and others to sincerely believe that denigrating, if not demonising, immigrants, is wrong.  An advertising hoarding outside Old Trafford now reads "Immigrants have done more for this city than billionaire tax dodgers ever will".  Sir Rat has saved himself an estimated £4 billion since moving his residence to Monaco in 2020.  Now let's think how many hospitals and schools that could have paid for ...In fact I'm not sure Rat was much liked before he shot his mouth off.  His ruthless cost cutting is very much in the mold of private equity investors out for a quick return and was alienating a lot of people.  It certainly isn't a good look.  Try this for a flavour of local opinion:https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/sir-jim-ratcliffes-comment-isnt-33417135Incidentally, over 2.2 million claimants of Universal Credit (ie over a quarter) are actually in work but paid too little to be able to survive without the UC benefits they are entitled to.I might also add I live in leafy West Putney and I've never seen a Palestinian flag here.  Just saying.  I think a residents' class action suit against those denigrating the honest residents of West Putney may become necessary!  Just cut us some slack.

Jonathan Callaway ● 10h

Mr Ixer'criticising the immigration into a country which is no longer his primary resident.'Not sure he was criticising, rather than commenting on the consequent effects regarding net costs.As regards immigrants satisfying a need as regards labour shortages there are apparently 1.68 million people people claiming unemployment related benefits in the UK.These are actively seeking work. The latest available figures from the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) show there were 8,400,344 people in Britain claiming universal credit (UC) in December 2025.These on the whole are not, usually claiming 'health issues' from preventing them doing so.This is the cost Ratcliffe is referring to.

John Hawkes ● 12h

Mr Ainsworth'"Approximately 60% of global billionaire wealth is derived from inheritance, monopoly power, or crony connections to governments, according to Oxfam. In specific contexts like the UK, 37% of billionaire wealth is linked directly to cronyism, with an additional 15% from monopolies.'Well well.I must take this up with the nice lady in the Southfields Oxfam shop next time I'm in there.She works for nothing whilst the CEO earns £120,000 pa.Anyway when you have told us how the Middle East Conflict and the 'problem' with Israel should be fixed, can you turn your attention to how global capitalism can be reformed or replaced ?Your views not AI.And BTW when sadly you shuffle off this mortal coil I assume you will you be passing on your wealth, doubtless including a decent gaff in West Putney, not to family members to perpetuate inherited wealth but rather to say Oxfam or Palestine Action ?

John Hawkes ● 12h

One has to smile at the irony of a Brexiter immigrant to a European state that - while not a member of the EU because of its autocratic hereditary system, is a member of Schengen, the Euro and customs union and follows many EU regulations - criticising the immigration into a country which is no longer his primary resident.I have to say the second and first generation immigrants I worked with during my 40+ years in IT - from Asia, Europe, Caribbean, Americas, Australia, etc made contributions to the UK's economy and different cultural backgrounds wasn't an issue. Yes, there are tensions, but, as it's been singled out, there's obviously a demand for delivery drivers - perhaps regulate the companies so they pay a proper wage? And with a falling population aren't they needed for this andother jobs? Wasn't that great champion of Brexit, Tim Martin, at one time complaining about the difficulty of recruiting bar staff? And the government had to make policy adjustments so as not to lose prison staff from Nigeria?

Michael Ixer ● 13h

"the UK has undergone an unprecedented wave of immigration in recent years, with the population increasing by over 10 million since 2000""Since 2000, the vast majority of long-term immigration to the UK has been legal, with estimates suggesting that legal migration typically accounts for over 95% to 96% of total, long-term immigration, while unauthorized or irregular immigration makes up a small percentage." (AI)And immigration was significantly higher under the Tory governments of 2010-2024, than under Labour. So, I'd guess that you voted for it.

David Ainsworth ● 13h

Mr CarterThough his numbers may be somewhat wide of the mark the majority of the British public I am sure sympathise with his view that however bluntly put the nature and culture of British society is being changed by immigration of people for whom we have no responsibility and who make little contribution to our society.Apart that is riding electric scooters to deliver pizzas.In fact they cost the rest of us through benefit claiming.This may not worry you as your white privilege guilt is assuaged by their presence and they will never be able to afford to live in leafy West Putney in any case.Regarding Ratcliffe's contribution to the UK you carefully forget that his companies provide work for thousands in Scotland and the North East and that British (Chinese) Steel also received government cash to maintain work for the Welsh and those in Scunthorpe.

John Hawkes ● 13h

I hold no brief for Jim Ratcliffe. I didn’t like the way he tried to cut costs at Manchester United by sacking over 100 staff and making the survivors of the cull pay for their own lunches while he wasted millions on paying off two useless managers and a sporting director. But too much has been made of his use of the word ‘colonised’ by virtue signallers like Andy Burnham who called it ‘insulting’ and Rachel Reeves who said it was ‘disgusting’.  Clearly colonisers is not the correct expression to describe people who have entered the country legally and contribute to the economy but it exactly describes illegal migrants who have arrived here uninvited. However the point that Ratcliffe was trying to make is that the UK has undergone an unprecedented wave of immigration in recent years, with the population increasing by over 10 million since 2000, which has placed an intolerable strain on the infrastructure.

Steven Rose ● 14h

"Approximately 60% of global billionaire wealth is derived from inheritance, monopoly power, or crony connections to governments, according to Oxfam. In specific contexts like the UK, 37% of billionaire wealth is linked directly to cronyism, with an additional 15% from monopolies.Key Findings on State-Linked WealthCronyism & Monopoly (Global): A significant portion of extreme wealth is not "self-made" but rather generated through state connections, regulatory capture, and monopolistic practices.UK Context: In the UK, combined, cronyism and monopoly account for over half of billionaire wealth, according to the Equality Trust.Economic Impact: This wealth is often described as "extractive," adding little value to society while relying on government connections or privatized public assets. "Self-Made" vs. State-Enabled WealthWhile 67% of global billionaires are technically classified as "self-made," this often includes fortunes built on state-enabled infrastructure, contracts, or favorable regulations. In countries like Russia and China, this, for example, has resulted in high percentages of billionaires connected to state-controlled industries." (AI)And, being a billionaire, Ratcliffe is supported in his inaccuracy (being kind here) by Creepy Nigel F.

David Ainsworth ● 16h