‘The Incoherent Truth: Plymouth & South Devon Freeport‘
The Earl of Lauderdale noted a paradox in 1804: that private riches and public wealth vary in opposite directions i.e. the development of rampant private ownership tends to result in a decline in what citizens value and rely on as a ‘natural’ resource.
Two centuries later and the Lauderdale Paradox has never been more relevant.
The most recent UK ‘fix’ for social inequality has been ‘Levelling Up’. One of its solutions has been the creation of 12 freeports around the UK. The freeport mission has been– with little apparent irony – to offer up great swathes of the common estate (marine, moor and protected landscape) to opportunity for private firms, paid for by public funds. Plymouth & South Devon Freeport is one of these schemes.
With a history of lack of transparency, and councils that evade scrutiny from both councillors and public, Jim Funnell asks why we are being expected to shoulder the risks, costs and hidden agendas when the potential gains simply don’t seem to add up.
This event is free and all are welcome, although we do ask for a voluntary contribution (in cash please) to help cover speakers’ costs.
Pre-booked tickets can be collected from the Box Office at The B-Bar from 1 hour before your performance starts, unless you have opted to have them posted (for an additional charge of £1 per order at time of booking) Tickets can also be bought for that day's performance from the box office from 1 hour before performances begin (subject to ticket availability) Not all events in the B-Bar have tickets that can be pre-booked. Please see The B-Bar website for full details of their events.