'Rocco Forte is Labouring under the misapprehension we want him to stay'

18 May 2023 , 19:57

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Rocco Forte says he can expand quicker in Italy (Image: ExpressStar)

Sir Rocco Forte says he may quit Britain if Labour wins the general election.

The mega-rich hotel tycoon, 78, is incensed at Keir Starmer ’s plan to ban bosses from calling employees out of working hours.

Brexiteer Forte, with a fortune estimated at hundreds of millions, calls the idea “a skiver’s charter” and complains that British people “don’t want to work”.

And if Labour ousts Rishi Sunak, as he expects, “Leaving the country is always a big step... but if I was in Italy I could expand quicker.”

He said much the same thing last October, accusing the Tories of being “soft Labour” and threatening “I am going to leave the country” if they failed to adopt more right-wing policies.

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Forte, who gave the Conservatives £100,000 at the last election, joins a long list of the rich and famous who promise to quit if they don’t get the government they want. Some do, but mostly it’s an empty threat.

Magician Paul Daniels, boxer Frank Bruno and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber said they would go if Gordon Brown taxed them too much. They stayed.

Singer/actor Phil Collins did go, and so did comedian Jim Davidson, though he waited until 2004 before moving to Dubai. Katie Hopkins said she would leave if Ed Miliband became PM. She’s still here, more’s the pity.

And those who go sometimes come back. Rod Stewart, returned home from US tax exile to support striking nurses. Sir Tom Jones is back on our screens.

Does it matter? Mostly, no. The work of great artistes like Lloyd Webber, Rod Stewart and Sir Tom is an inalienable part of our national culture. They can’t take that away from us.

Ciao! Sir Rocco. Take your dosh to Italy if it pleases. We can stay here.

Paul Routledge