The End Of the Line

The eviction of the Dale Farm traveller site is set to go ahead after the final piece of funding was put in place. About 20 protesters staged a demo outside the Basildon Centre ahead of a vote to finalise funding for the eviction of travellers from Dale Farm in Crays Hill.

Only 20 protestors? What happened to the army of campaigners the Dale Farm mob promised they could provide?

Are they just keeping their powder dry? Or have all the up-for-a-ruck rabble decided to take a Greek holiday instead?

The travellers and campaigners were joined by south Essex MEP Richard Howitt.

Mr Howitt said: "I am deeply anxious to have stood up against the forced eviction of Roma communities in France and Italy, and want to be certain for myself that the law is being respected on all sides here in my own constituency."

Actually, the fact that ‘the law isn’t being respected’ has already been established, as it’s the reason for the eviction in the first place…

Councillor Allan Davies has called for the vote to be suspended so alternative sites can be considered.

The Labour member said: "The possibilty of alternative sites on Homes and Communities Agency land has not been explored. We need to suspend this decision until these options have been completely exhausted."

But the protests fell on deaf ears as But 27 Tory councillors carried the vote opposed by 12 Labour and Lib Dems.

At last, the long nightmare may be over for the law-abiding neighbours of the Dale Farm illegal camp…