FROM NOON WEDNESDAY.

This midweek I am joined by Prof. Alf Baird, Lloyd Quinan and North Yorkshire Green Councillor Andy Brown.

We did invite members of the SNP Scottish Government to send representatives to participate in our deliberations and give us their reasoning behind supporting thus Tory Government initiative. We also contacted the MSPs that have been championing this policy. Regrettably, we did not even receive the courtesy of a reply to our polite requests from any of them. As my old maw used to say, ‘ good manners cost nothing!’

You would think if it is such a good idea they would grab the chance to extol the benefits of thus Tory initiative! It seems when it comes to Freeports, Gender ideology, and Unionism it seems that debating the virtues and benefits of their beliefs is something they avoid at all costs. Make up your own mind why that is the case!

We look at the Teesside Freeport and hear of the problems and machinations around its implementation. We attempt to see if we can learn any lessons and find out if there are any positives to be gained for the proposed Scottish Freeports.

We hear of polluted seas, dead marine life, profiteering. Who ultimately owns the Freeport? Who do the panel think should own the port?  Who has iltimare responsibility for this venture? Who profits and who doesn’t. Have the promised jobs and new company start ups materialised or is it all smoke and mirrors?

What do Freeports give us that improve our local economy, job market and skills? Are there R&D jobs or just warehousing jobs? Are there new jobs and companies in Teeside or just companies from Newcastle and Sunderland relocating their operations to take advantage of low regulation and tax breaks?

We also offer alternatives for our ports. There are ways of maximising these sites if governments are open minded. Make up your own mind and do tell us what you think.