Candidates divided over site issue

Today is the last day to register to vote. In this video Gypsy Woman Linda Smith says why she'll be taking part in the election for the first time.

The south-western counties of Devon and Cornwall are home to many Gypsies and Travellers but have only a handful of official council sites.  As with many places in Britain, proposals for new sites have faced very strong opposition.

With few votes in providing for the community, candidates in the south west reflect opinion across Britain and are divided in what they are prepared to do for the Gypsies and Travellers.

Jude Robinson, Labour candidate for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, says Labour wanted to see more official sites.

She said: "We want to work with local authorities to indentify the needs of Gypsy communities and settled communities.

"Across the country local authorities are spending millions of pounds moving Gypsies and travellers on.

"It would be far better value spending some of that money building sites and it saves money in the long run."

The Conservatives would make it a criminal offence to park up illegally and scrap the right of travellers to cite the Human Rights Act.

Neil Parish, Conservative candidate for Tiverton and Honiton in Devon, says: "They are entitled to live a nomadic life.

"But should they be able to just go in and take somebody's property and abuse a planning system which none of the rest of the population would be able to?

"It's about getting the balance right, with proper provision, and stopping Gypsies from just being able to move in anywhere."

When four sites were identified in Devon, there was strong opposition and the plans were withdrawn in 2004. The Liberal Democrats believe the plans failed, in part, because the choices were imposed on communities.  Phil Hutty, Liberal Democrat candidate for Devon Central, says: "We have had travellers in our backyard forever.

"It's the local community that can find the solutions to this difficult problem of finding acceptable sites for travellers.

"I believe that they will do that. There are lots of prejudices but we can overcome that with the right information and consultation."

 But local Romany Gypsy Michael Lee, who is parked legally on one of three official sites in Cornwall, said he appreciated having electricity and water, but it was a far cry from his nomadic life.

He said: "You pull up now - the police will come along and you'll get an hour to pull off.

"If you don't they'll compound your caravan. These sites are like a prison camp."