North-east MP Ross Thomson has accused the Lib Dems of “economic vandalism” after members tabled a motion calling for the abolition of free ports.
Aberdeen has been earmarked as a potential site for a free port by Boris Johnson in a bid to “turbo-charge” the economy.
A free port is a zone within a country that is treated, for customs purposes, as an independent jurisdiction.
This means goods can be manufactured, imported and exported in the zone without incurring normal barriers to trade like tariffs and customs duties.
A motion at the Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth, due for debate today, states that free ports “increase the risk of money-laundering and tax evasion”.
It adds: “Using free ports to promote particular types of manufacturing in a geographic area risks simply moving industries from one part of the UK to the free port and this would mean damaging areas that lose established industries without creating any additional jobs.
“There are no circumstances in which the expense of establishing a network of free ports makes sense in the context of the UK.”
Mr Thomson said: “This motion is little more than economic vandalism by the Liberal Democrats.
“It lobs a brick through the careful and evidence-based approach pursued by this UK Government.
“No thought has been given to the impact this could have on Aberdeen and the wider north-east.
“We are perfectly positioned to benefit from moves that could generate thousands of jobs and millions of pounds for the local economy.
“Any support for this blanket ban would rob the Lib Dems of any legitimacy in the north-east.”
