Man Utd co-owner Jim Ratcliffe says Brexit hasn’t worked and voters will punish the Tories.

Billionaire businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said Brexit has not worked and so voters will turn to Labor.

The Manchester United co-owner and Ineos founder was a strong supporter of the UK leaving the EU, but criticized the government’s implementation of Brexit, saying it had ultimately failed to solve the immigration problem.

Ratcliffe, who reportedly moved to Monaco to avoid UK taxes on his fortune, told Sky News: “Brexit, unfortunately, didn’t go the way people expected. Brexit was largely about immigration. This was the most important element of this vote.

“People were fed up with the influx (the size of) the city of Southampton that was coming every year…I think last year it was twice Southampton.

“A small island like the UK cannot cope with large numbers of people arriving in the UK, it simply overburdens the NHS, the traffic department and the police.

“The country was designed for 55 or 60 million people and we have 70 million people, and as a result all services are collapsing.”

Net migration hit a record 745,000 in 2022, although it is estimated to have fallen to 672,000 in the year to June 2023.

The government’s commitment in its 2019 manifesto, made when net migration was around 219,000 people, aimed for overall figures to fall.

Ratcliffe added: “This is the essence of Brexit and no one has implemented it. They keep talking about it, but nothing has been done. That’s why I think we’ll end up with a change of government, to be honest.”

Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer met Ratcliffe last weekend to discuss the redevelopment of Old Trafford, Manchester United’s dilapidated stadium.

He said of the current government: “There’s no doubt the Conservatives have had a good run over the last 15 or 20 years and I think most of the country feels it’s probably time for a change, and I really understand that. »

Asked if his company would donate to Labour, he said: “We are apolitical at Ineos, we just want a thriving manufacturing sector in the UK.”

What do the British think about immigration and Brexit?

Ratcliffe’s comments on immigration and Brexit deciding the next general election contrast with polls.

Immigration is only the fourth most important issue for Britons, according to Ipsos’ latest monthly ‘Issues Index’.

Its latest survey of 1,035 adults suggests the most important issue is the economy (34%), followed by the NHS (29%) and inflation (27%). Immigration was mentioned by 24% of those surveyed.

At the same time, mentions of Brexit or Europe accounted for just 3%, which Ipsos said was the lowest level of concern recorded since September 2012.

Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos, said: “The economy and public services are likely to remain at the top of voters’ minds over the coming months, suggesting they will be critical factors in the vote. elections are approaching.

“The NHS was also important in 2019, but in other respects the next election looks very different. Despite recent falls, inflation remains a bigger public concern than five years ago, especially for young people, while immigration is a major issue of concern for conservatives and the elderly.

“But Brexit, which was one of the determining factors in Boris Johnson’s victory in 2019, is now at its lowest point on the public agenda for more than 10 years.”

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