FTZ (Free Trade Zone) 2025 – 30 x 21 x 4cm, latex, wire, acrylic, paper, photographs, letraset
Strategy to Oppose Free Zones in Wales: Given the Senedd’s devolved control and the public’s limited awareness of the 8 SEZs and 2 Freeports, opposition must focus on raising awareness, leveraging Welsh popular sovereignty, and demanding democratic accountability.
Raise Public Awareness: Grassroots Movements: Mobilize community groups across Wales to educate the public about the 8 SEZs and 2 Freeports (Celtic and Anglesey), highlighting arbitration mechanisms (LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL) and sovereignty transfers. Focus on regions like Milford Haven, Port Talbot, and Ynys Môn to engage local stakeholders.
Campaigns: Utilise social media platforms (X, YouTube, Substack, Bluesky, Facebook, TikTok) to spread awareness. Detail Shanker Singham’s role, citing Byline Cymru’s Freeports Gazette to reach diverse audiences. https://bylines.cymru/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Gazette-Freeports.pdf
Evidence: Cite the new research on LCIA, ICC, and UNCITRAL rules in Freeport agreements to expose risks such as corruption, regional imbalance, and the £1.4 billion investment promise for Anglesey that favours corporations over communities.
Leverage Welsh Popular Sovereignty: Petition the Senedd: Submit a petition to the Senedd, arguing that Freeport and SEZ agreements violate Welsh popular sovereignty by transferring powers to corporations without public consent. Draw on the tradition of sovereignty from the Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542 and the Government of Wales Act 2006 to assert the people’s right to govern.
Call for Primary Legislation: Demand that Freeport and SEZ terms be reviewed under primary legislation in the Senedd, reversing the opacity of secondary legislation used by Westminster. This would restore democratic oversight and align with devolved authority, challenging the 2023 agreements signed by Mark Drakeford.
Legal and International Action: Judicial Review: Challenge the legality of LCIA, ICC, and UNCITRAL arbitration clauses under UK and Welsh law, arguing they undermine judicial sovereignty. The lack of public awareness during Drakeford’s 2023 sign-off, despite known risks (see Welsh Parliamentary transcripts), could support a case for inadequate consultation, especially with Shanker Singham’s presence at Ynys Môn.
Freedom of Information (FOI) Request: Submit an FOI request to the Welsh Government and UK government for Governance, lease, and concession agreements to confirm LCIA use in Wales’ 2 Freeports and 8 SEZs, strengthening the opposition case with concrete evidence.
Public Consent Argument: Argue that the general public’s lack of awareness, due to limited transparency from secondary legislation, invalidates the 2023 Freeport and SEZ agreements. This mirrors the Scottish Claim of Right approach, asserting that Welsh sovereignty resides with the people, not an unaccountable executive or corporate entities. Emphasize Drakeford’s decision, made with knowledge of risks, as a betrayal of this principle, especially with Singham’s involvement at Ynys Môn.