Low intensity democracies 2024 – (left to right) 186 x 14cm, acrylic on canvas. Haven Waterway SEZ Energy Sector 2024 – 30 x 24cm, acrylic, wire, on canvas. Waste to energy 2024 – 41 x 67 x 12cm, wire, nails.
The state and public money is a source of revenue for libertarian start-ups, deregulated Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and Freeports are given Govt State Aid (public money aka corporate welfare) via more ‘flexible’ WTO rules, this subsidy goes directly to companies which is prohibited in the EU. Companies are known to chase tax breaks and subsidies in Special Economic Zones and Freeports, they is no evidence that SEZs improve regional infrastructure, create more jobs, or are sustainable for the long term. UK SEZs and Freeports are licensed for 25 years and are tax-exempt for 10 years, they contravene EU laws on State Aid and sabotage the UK’s chances of rejoining the EU. This is why both the main parties say no rejoining the EU, the SM/CU. Brexit turbocharged freezones and will ultimately result in the privatisation of the UK. Exit strategies from democracy were developed in the 1960s, these plans hatched by anarcho-capitalists and neoliberal economists in numerous right wing think tanks have taken 64 years to be made flesh. The cities you love are being transformed into ‘private clubs’ for the asset classes interest not the publics. There was no mandate in the UK for SEZs and Freeports, no mention of the impacts they will inflict on low to middle-income workers in the MSM. SEZs are Sunak the Oligarch’s and Starmer’s the Starver’s answer to the ‘problem of democracy’.