Labour MP targets Scottish Travellers
by Colin Turbett
SCOTTISH Gypsy Travellers have a hard enough time facing prejudice and
discrimination without Members of Parliament jumping on the bandwagon
in clear populist attempts to win local right wing votes. Central Ayrshire’s
Brian Donohoe (Labour) has called, in the local Irvine press, for new
laws to curb “travellers” and describes their lifestyle and
behaviour as “anarchist”.
He then wonders why they will not meet with him stating: “How
can these people be referred to as a community?”
Although examples are not given, it seems Donohoe is upset that Travellers who
park their caravans on disused industrial sites and other waste ground leave
a mess.
Well as we see in Naples, so would he and the rest of us if services like rubbish
collections suddenly stopped.
In fact Gypsy Travellers are probably better at recycling than many
other members of the wider community – this has been part of their
way of life for centuries.
Where can Ayrshire’s Gypsy Travellers go when the two remaining official
sites are full ? Donohoe suggests that the two local authorities “can do
nothing about the problem”.
What he really means is that they can do nothing to harass people and move them
on, and states his intention to pursue changes in the law to allow this.
In a clear attempt to inflame matters he states that “most of the travellers
(in Ayrshire)…arrive in an area to trash other people’s property.” Such
language is a gift to right wing racists and fascists.
There has been a suggestion from local activists that the Travellers Donohoe
has long reviled should park outside his house.
Whilst we doubt they would want Donohoe as a neighbour, there is little doubt
that Gypsy Travellers, long marginalised, need to renew campaigns to achieve
acceptance and recognition.
This is a matter over which the SSP should offer every assistance.