Do the rights thing by Gypsies

Do the rights thing by Gypsies Conservative MPs like shadow spokesperson for the environment Tim Yeo MP – who expressed his views recently in the Daily Mail and the Sunday Telegraph – want a review of the Human Rights Act because under this legislation Gypsies like those in Clearwater, Chichester, have been allowed to stay on land for which they had no planning permission.

In that case the court of appeal ruled in the Gypsies’ favour because the council had breached planning guidance, which recommends that councils should help Gypsies identify land to purchase themselves and develop as sites (HT 8 October, page 10).

It was felt that hardship would be caused to the families by the loss of these homes; that the council’s policies would not be likely to lead to the approval of an alternative private site; and that there was a national shortage of council-provided sites for Gypsies.

An estimated 20% of the Gypsy and Traveller community live on unauthorised sites, where they have poor access to services.

NHS-sponsored research has shown they have a high infant mortality rate and below-average life expectancy.

At the same time, councils are incurring huge legal costs in trying to remove Travellers from land they’re occupying illegally.

But rather than reviewing human rights legislation would it not make more sense if a duty were created to oblige councils to provide and facilitate sites, thus avoiding the problems already outlined from the start.

The Conservatives and Labour need to stop playing this issue as though it’s a political football and shying away from the issue of provision for fear of losing votes.

In the interests of all, they need to put their fears and prejudices behind them and address the real issue: the acute shortage of sites.

Their failure to do this is the root cause of all the present problems and not any perceived flaws in the Human Rights Act.

Len Smith, Gypsy & Traveller Law Reform Coalition