Mick Grant

I was surprised to hear David Cameron is in support of permanent gypsy and traveller sites - contrary to the thoughts of our local Tories!  Mr Cameron, the MP for Witney, in Oxfordshire, has backed a number of authorised gypsy and traveller camps and has welcomed Government funding to support them. Permanent camps have been set up in Sandford, East Challow, Wheatley and Standlake - all in Mr Cameron's constituency.  There are six sites across the whole Oxfordshire County Council area, with 80 plots catering for 300 travellers. There are also seven privately-owned gypsy and traveller camps. Oxfordshire County Council is led by a Conservative majority.

If they're good enough for their leader, David Cameron, why are they not good enough for the Sherwoods in Brigg? I would have loved the opportunity to discuss Mr Cameron's experience of permanent gypsy and traveller camps in his Oxfordshire constituency as he is clearly at odds with the local Tories.  He recently welcomed £300,000 of government money to upgrade the sites. The Brigg ward councillors and other Tories are happily scaring local residents but the experiences of Mr Cameron are clearly very positive.  I would ask them why their opinions differ so much?

It must be stressed that at this point in time we are just asking residents what they think of our proposals for the gypsy sites - no decisions have been made and we are taking onboard all comments we receive. We will not be railroading through any decisions.  We spent four years watching the Tories ignore local people and we are determined not to do the same.