kendor said:
david and julie said:
Squatting and damaging property, fly-tipping and avoiding taxes. Whilst also claiming every available right from the welfare state, don't really set a very good example though do they?
But my point is that these people are in the wrong but that doesn't mean all gypsies are the same and as stated before it seems the term gypsies applies to all travellers these days. let's distinguish between the real gypsies and the protesting anti social dole grabbing ones that don't want to do a day's work but feel we should support them.
I'm all for supporting those that are unable to do so themselves but am not happy having to support those that can't be bothered to work and i believe it is these types that cause the trouble as opposed to the real Romanies that are decent people that just live their lives differently to others but still stay within the law.
As in life there are many 'factions' ... generally the people who take action, the activists, are known to disregard the law or the 'intent' of certain laws, from time to time...
I have no problem with law abiding people living their life ... but it doesn't always work does it ? If they can buy hitherto non development land and live on it --- there is something wrong with our system ... wealthy landowners would have devoured this land if it were normally possible under law --- we know and live within this system.
I have greater sympathy with farmers great or small whose own families are obstructed from building homes on their own, legally held, land.
Allowing the 'Gypsies' and they may not be proven as that under EU law, to ride roughshod over the intent of greenbelt law .. opens a can of worms .. rich developers may start / and even may be active, as we speak, in sponsoring the acquisition of such land via the EU Romany law which has intent to protect people, not make dosh !!
I do not believe the owners of expensive caravans, trailers and vehicles, who currently roam the land actually want to settle, by the looks of their possessions they could more than afford to settle in a house and join mainstream society .. the question is why do they not do so ?
I would hazard, again by the looks of their kit, they are doing nicely thank you very much .. with 'no fixed abode' they know there is little money or resources available to track them down in the event of misdemeanor .. and being human, to a certain extent, play on that to the limit !!
P