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My paramount concern is that proper provision is made for travellers and gypsies. It seems to me to be vital to a democracy that those whose living arrangements are not mainstream should be accepted as part of our diverse (and therefore rich) culture.

Unfortunately it's too easy to forget the lessons of history and the terrible suffering that takes place when differences are not tolerated. At the extreme we have regimes like Nazi Germany and South Africa. It's easy to think that we're more civilised, but we'll only remain so if we have respect for all our citizens.

I'm taking the trouble to communicate with you because of the frequently expressed hostility to these minorities - a hostility that is rather paradoxical when one sees the number of holiday caravans on our roads, and the well-maintained sites for them to rest in.