A year on, still unfriendly, still no apology

In November 2017 I submitted a Motion on travellers to Full Council. This include the following five proposals:

1, Condemns any language that stigmatises or labels the traveller community.

2, Condemns every instance of race hate language, or support for race hate language.

3, Should encourage greater understanding and tolerance of all minority groups.

4, Welcomes all visitors to the borough. This borough aim is increase visitor numbers, to be a bigger tourist magnet. This local authority should not discriminate at all, nor should it pre-judge the motives of any visitor.

5, Should attempt to find somewhere for travellers to temporarily de-camp when they visit, thus ending the sight of caravans in our parks and open spaces.

When Cabinet considered this it was only partially accepted (parts 1-4 of the motion were supported).

In respect of part 5 of the motion it was noted that the most recent “Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment” found that there is no current or future need and therefore no action is required.

Apparently unrepentant, Cllr Walker

However, there are regular reports of travellers visiting the borough and parking in whatever open spaces they can find. Clearly, my understanding of ‘need’ does not tally with the Conservative administration’s. The travellers keep turning up, and the unwelcoming local authority treats them badly. They are found guilty by a kangaroo court of councillors and council officers, regardless of whether they have done anything wrong. The mere fact of being a traveller makes them unwanted in their eyes.

Of course, wrong-doers should be punished. Existing and arriving are not crimes.

My motion was drafted as a response to vile comments by Conservative Cllr Walker (Shameful comments regarding travellers from two senior Southendcouncillors) and his friends in the chamber. A year on, and he has yet to apologise.

Shameful comments regarding travellers from two senior Southend councillors

There has been some ill considered comments from members of the local authority in respect of travellers. Fortunately none of the bad  commentary came from the Labour Group of Councillors.

I called for more " compassion, tolerance, and understanding" of the traveller community.

I have had two responses, and quite frankly they shame every councillor.

From Cllr Chris Walker (Conservative)

They are treated like pariahs because they are pariahs.

They have been driven from Ireland whence they emanate because of their thieving and filthy ways.

They contribute nothing to society in the way of taxes etc and create filth wherever they go .

Why should we make allowance for them ?

It would be better for all if they were to learn the foolishness of their ways and go back to Ireland.

They are their own worst enemies.

From Cllr Stephen Aylen (Independent)

Nest time we have these so called travellers arrive in Belfairs or Oakwood park (remember a large majority of the residents in the area around these parks are proper gypsys ) could you please provide me with flyer maps of locations in Milton (such as the cliffs ) that these travellers may use.

Then give it an hour and see if your response is the same as below.

I very much doubt it.

Or may I suggest you come to Belfairs ward or any ward in the west of Southend and tell the residents what you think.

There has not been a hanging in Belfairs since 1938.

Labelling a whole community is race hate. I sincerely hope that Cllr Walker and Aylen re-think their comments and then retract them and apologise.