They say ‘old age does not come alone’ and they are right. It’s been a bad winter for me in many ways, hence my silence!

Much has happened over the past month or so, especially on the Political landscape.

There was a time when one could describe one’s personal leanings as, left, right or centre. Today these seem to have moulded into one or even disappeared and been replaced by Libertarianism! ….. not to be confused with Liberalism!

And along with this new way comes Freeports and EZs. Privatisation and a race to the bottom with deregulation all wrapped up in a super shiny package to entice those who are not competent enough or can’t be bothered to read the small print!

The latest so-called ‘enhanced investment zone’ is Cairnryan in Dumfries & Galloway which marries up with the new NI deal.

The glossy headlines on the gift box are things like jobs, enterprise, low or in some instances no tax, no NI!

No mention of low pay, no employment rights, compulsory buyouts and loss of income for the Council which will have a knock on effect for all.

Our land is being sold off to the highest bidder and no-one will have any say in how these things will be run and little control as to who or what is being shipped in!

This is the new way folks and the only people who will gain whether still in government or not are the rich entrepreneurs who have bought your land from under your feet, and like Teesside will leave it in a mess for us to clean up!

Check out the Freeports group, the only ones fighting for our land and our rights.