He was a Labor Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1922 until 1932, representing the districts of Botany (1922–1927), Alexandria (1927–1930) and Barwon (1930–1932).
Ratcliffe was born at Pyrmont, and was a tram driver before entering politics as a local alderman.
He again contested Botany in 1922 and was again placed fifth on the Labor list, but this time, campaigned for voters to ignore the official ticket and give him their first preference.
[1][2][3] Ratcliffe was re-elected in 1925 when Labor won a majority under Jack Lang, and was promoted to the ministry in 1927, when Martin Flannery was dropped in a reshuffle.
His ministerial career was cut short by Labor's defeat that year; however, he was re-elected as the member for Alexandria.