Scottish Greens blast billionaire Ratcliffe’s “bizarre” comments on migrants
Billionaire INEOS boss Jim Ratcliffe’s comments on migration are awful, but unsurprising say the Scottish Greens.
Earlier this week during an interview with Sky News, Ratcliffe claimed that the UK is being colonised by immigrants, pushing the anti-migrant rhetoric that is currently being peddled by right-wing politicians and influencers.
The UK billionaire himself, who lives in Monaco, has previously come under fire for refusing to prepare a package of care for the community and workers at Grangemouth after INEOS closed down operations at the site, instead relying on governments to offer financial support to those affected.
Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay, who grew up 200 yards from the Grangemouth refinery, and saw first-hand the damage Ratcliffe has done to the surrounding working-class community says his comments are unsurprising.
Gillian Mackay MSP said:
“Jim Ratcliffe’s bizarre intervention on the state of the UK is a shining example of the same old story. It is awful but unsurprising to hear another super-rich man blaming immigrants for the problems caused by billionaires.
“To describe the UK as being ‘colonised by immigrants’ is not only historically illiterate, it echoes the kind of language used by the far-right to sow division and fear. It is even more bizarre when Jim himself is an immigrant currently living in Monaco.
“Time and time again we see out-of-touch elites talk down to ordinary, hard-working people across the UK and here in Scotland.
“The truth is, migration has shaped Scotland and the wider UK for generations. Our NHS, our universities, our public services and our economy are stronger because of the people who have chosen to build their lives here. Our country is not stronger because of the likes of billionaires who shut up shop and leave people jobless while hoarding extreme wealth.
“Divisive language like this does nothing to solve the real challenges people face, like the cost of living, and instead only benefits those who seek to divide communities
“Scotland needs communities to come together, not culture war slogans imported from the far right fringes of politics.
“The status quo has got us into this mess in the first place. We should be focused on tackling poverty, improving public services and building a fairer society.”