The Traveller Movement has reported Mr. Burns MP for Bournemouth West to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and called for meaningful action to address his harmful and discriminatory rhetoric. As an elected official, Mr. Burns has a responsibility to represent all constituents equally and protect the rights of minorities. His comments promote hostility and discrimination, violating principles of equality and human rights.
16 Feb 2024
The Traveller Movement Calls for Action against Racist Rhetoric
The Traveller Movement has reported Mr. Burns MP for Bournemouth West to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and called for meaningful action to address his harmful and discriminatory rhetoric. As an elected official, Mr. Burns has a responsibility to represent all constituents equally and protect the rights of minorities. His comments promote hostility and discrimination, violating principles of equality and human rights.
In a video message to constituents last week, Mr. Burns used discriminatory and “othering” language to describe Gypsy and Traveller communities and encouraged local residents to oppose plans for a new Gypsy and Traveller site in his constituency.
Mr. Burns’ actions are not isolated. In August 2023 the Welsh Secretary David TC Davis was reported to the Cabinet Secretary and Welsh Police for similar language in a leaflet to constituents.
Mr Burns’ words over the weekend were not an isolated incident. In October 2018, Burns was investigated by his party over allegations of racist remarks about travellers in a letter to his local newspaper, “These people think the normal rules of civilised society do not apply to them” and stated those involved in the encampment had turned the town into “a no go area for local residents and visitors.”
“We are saddened by Mr. Burns’ comments, which only serve to dehumanise and marginalise Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities,” said Yvonne McNamara, CEO of The Traveller Movement. “This type of racist dog-whistling has no place in our political discourse. By insinuating that our communities should not live alongside non-nomadic ethnicities, Mr. Burns is calling for a ghettoization of Romani (Gypsies), Roma and Irish Travellers. We call on the parliamentary standards authority to investigate our concern thoroughly. This language should not be tolerated by any ethnic group.”
Site allocation in the UK is well below what is needed and often the sites that are provided are in areas which are detrimental the residents’ health, access to education and the local economy. In advocating for a site outside of a “residential area” the Member for Bournemouth West is advocating for the continued ghettoization of our community members.
NOTES TO EDITOR
About The Traveller Movement
The Traveller Movement is a national charity working to promote equality and human rights for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in the UK. We aim to challenge discrimination and break down barriers in education, health, employment and the criminal justice system. The Traveller Movement works with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller individuals and families to tackle prejudice and promote community cohesion.
Race is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. The Act prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation; protects individuals from unfair treatment; and promotes a fair and more equal society. It protects Romani (Gypsies), Roma and Irish Travellers as well as all other race groups from discrimination in a variety of fields, including employment, education, the exercise of public functions and the provision of services. In the 2011 Census for England and Wales, 0.1% of the population identified as a Gypsy, Roma or Traveller.
Evidence of site location on health outcomes- /static/e7ed4f4bd54f9fc8ea019c284a9bbaa1/Impact-of-Insecure-Accommodation-on-GRT-Health-2016.pdf