The BBC Question Time audience erupted in applause last night as Green Party MP Ellie Chowns challenged Nadine Dorries over immigration remarks. The exchange followed a discussion about billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's claim that the UK has been 'colonised by immigrants'.
Ms Dorries, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK last year, defended Ratcliffe despite acknowledging he 'got his numbers wrong'. She insisted immigration 'is out of control', but was interrupted by Ms Chowns, who said: 'Reform, and before it the Brexit Party and before it UKIP have been busy for many years fermenting this idea that immigration is the problem in this country. It's completely untrue, inequality is the problem.'
Ms Chowns added: 'Housing is a problem in this country, because we have had 40 years of governments not investing in housing. The health problems we have got in this country are because we have governments, including the government of which you were a part for 14 years, failing to invest in our public services, presiding over decline.'
The audience in Bristol warmly applauded Ms Chowns' remarks. Earlier, Ms Dorries had claimed that population growth of 12 million since 2012 had caused strain on public services. However, presenter Fiona Bruce clarified that the increase has occurred over 31 years since 1995.
Ratcliffe, who became part-owner of Manchester United in February 2024, later apologised for his comments. The club issued a statement distancing itself from his remarks, reaffirming its commitment to integration and inclusivity.
