theonlymikey
New member
- Apr 21, 2016
- 789
I don't really know a lot about BJs plans for Freeports other than he wants one.I think you are almost certainly spot-on. Locally is there any discussion about the Freeport? Is it unicorn-fodder? It all raises the question of why oh why did folk in places like this vote for Brexit? What on earth did they think it would deliver? Surely they were not voting on account of the jurisdiction of the ECJ or the Qualified Majority Voting arrangements within the Council of Ministers? They must have thought that somehow it would make them better off. If so, then it's as good an illustration of false consciousness as can be imagined.
Either way, apparently Teesside applied for Freeport status long before BJ had a sniff at being PM.
This article certainly outlines what it could mean for the area...
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ga...news/free-port-status-could-make-14134793.amp
As for why people voted for it. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. It's complex. It comes down mostly to lies and misconceptions. Add in a little bit of "protest vote" and it's a cocktail for leave.
I think SSI was a huge factor. A lie was circulated that the steel plant could not be saved due to competition rules imposed by the EU. The myth was debunked but mud sticks and the damage was done.
There is a massive Muslim and Asian community here. It would be naive of me to say this didn't play some part.
Amongst all that, This in an area already dealing with high levels of poverty, drug and alcohol addiction, unemployment and teensge pregnancies. Throw in generations of governments forgetting the North exists and I think people were sick of it.
The establishment chose to campaign to remain, and voters stuck two fingers up. Leave campaign got the ive got nothing to lose votes, the protest votes, the racist vote and the votes recalled by lies.
As for the Boro, Steve's been sticking his hand in his pocket for years to keep us afloat. Fans are dwindling and prices are rising. It's not great. It's the same up and down the country. Really sad.
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