[Livia]

My paternal family lived in Newham for generations. The majority of white people there now are those who can't afford to leave. It used to be full of working class families, now it's pretty much a slum.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Crimson Dynamo

5 years ago, what would it be now?

Interesting, its generally the rich Boroughs that are still showing over 50 per cent

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Livia

A football club is going to ban one of its co-owners for his opinion. George Orwell is saying, see? I was right.

There seems to be no end of people ready to queue up to call him a racist, its the only opinion that matters its seems

[Crimson Dynamo]

Mariella Frostrup
@mariellaf1
·
Feb 12
So tired of tax exile billionaires telling us what Britain is or should be. Pay your tax and
then you earn a voice? #Tax4Good Sir Jim Ratcliffe: Britain has been colonised by
immigrants

-------------------------

Where this hag lives in her white enclave in Somerset




Here i am with my AGA

[GiRTh]

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s claim that Britain has been “colonised” would almost be funny if it weren’t so pathetic. This is a man who lives in Monaco, pays no UK income tax, and has deliberately distanced himself from the country he’s now lecturing. From the comfort of a tax haven, he fires off dramatic warnings about Britain’s future — and can’t even get the basic numbers right. His population figures weren’t just off; they were wildly inaccurate, the kind of thing you say when you’re more interested in stirring outrage than telling the truth.

And when challenged, he retreats into the oldest, weakest PR move in the book: “I’m sorry if you were offended.”

It’s not an apology. It’s a dodge. It shifts the blame onto the audience for reacting, instead of taking responsibility for making a reckless claim. If he genuinely believes what he said, he should stand by it. If he doesn’t, he should retract it properly. What we get instead is this limp halfway position — bold language on the front end, and a non‑apology on the back end.

So what are we left with? A tax exile in Monaco, misquoting basic data, throwing around loaded terms he refuses to define, and then pretending the real issue is that people were offended. That isn’t leadership. It isn’t clarity. It’s just another billionaire shouting from the Riviera about a Britain he doesn’t even live in.

[bots]

Originally Posted by GiRTh

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s claim that Britain has been “colonised” would almost be funny if it weren’t so pathetic. This is a man who lives in Monaco, pays no UK income tax, and has deliberately distanced himself from the country he’s now lecturing. From the comfort of a tax haven, he fires off dramatic warnings about Britain’s future — and can’t even get the basic numbers right. His population figures weren’t just off; they were wildly inaccurate, the kind of thing you say when you’re more interested in stirring outrage than telling the truth.

And when challenged, he retreats into the oldest, weakest PR move in the book: “I’m sorry if you were offended.”

It’s not an apology. It’s a dodge. It shifts the blame onto the audience for reacting, instead of taking responsibility for making a reckless claim. If he genuinely believes what he said, he should stand by it. If he doesn’t, he should retract it properly. What we get instead is this limp halfway position — bold language on the front end, and a non‑apology on the back end.

So what are we left with? A tax exile in Monaco, misquoting basic data, throwing around loaded terms he refuses to define, and then pretending the real issue is that people were offended. That isn’t leadership. It isn’t clarity. It’s just another billionaire shouting from the Riviera about a Britain he doesn’t even live in.

he also didn't think twice about halving the employees at Man U that were contributing to the country through them actually paying tax

[GiRTh]

Originally Posted by bots

he also didn't think twice about halving the employees at Man U that were contributing to the country through them actually paying tax

True. It is an issue for the chairman of a football club to make comments of that nature, given that the club depends heavily on people from a wide range of backgrounds. The playing squad includes individuals with immigrant parents, such as Kobbie Mainoo, and the same applies across the academy, the administrative staff, the wider workforce, and the fanbase.

Because of that, it was understandable that he was asked to clarify or apologise. However, the statement he issued — specifically the line “I’m sorry if you were offended” — did not directly address the concerns raised about his original comments.

[Cherie]

I dont think Jim was referring to those who are paid and pay taxes in my opinion he was referring to those who turn up... sit down...and wait for it all to be paid for....

[GiRTh]

Originally Posted by Cherie

I dont think Jim was referring to those who are paid and pay taxes in my opinion he was referring to those who turn up... sit down...and wait for it all to be paid for....

You may have a point. For me, the use of the word “colonised” is central to the discussion. The term has a specific historical meaning — one group taking control over another — and that implication comes with it whenever the word is used. By choosing that wording, he suggests a transfer of control or authority, whether or not that was what he intended.

If he meant to make a broader or more general observation, that didn’t come across in the way he phrased it. This is especially relevant given his role at Manchester United, a club that depends on people from a wide range of backgrounds across its playing staff, its wider workforce, and its fanbase.

[GiRTh]

I forgot to add that the apology itself was very weak. The phrasing made it clear he wasn’t really addressing the concerns raised, and it was easy to see that he didn’t genuinely mean it.