""I have never urged the ignoring of planning rules - I've seen enough of the green belt disappear to be concerned about preserving it.
We are talking about an ex-scrapyard being used to house people who otherwise would be homeless thanks to the inadequacy of the present laws.""

That is exactly what you are urging, and the ex scrapyard is a complete red herring.

The fact that a piece of green belt land has been illegally misused in the past is irrelevant.

For all that you know to the contrary, that scrapyard may very well have been run by the same travellers who now occupy it.

""As for "Little Englander" being racist - no more racist than describing people as Xenophobic - a mindset that always emerges when the question of Travellers is raised.""

I agree; no more racist and no less racist, so why wouldn't you merit dismissal also?

"""but not pass judgement on each other."
But you feel free to pass judgement on my contribution....""

Precisely Jim!!!

The contribution yes, the man NO!!

We are at liberty to say "That is a racist statement", but Max is clear that we are not permitted to say "You are a racist".

Most of us grasped what Max required of us, and are trying our best to comply.

Don T.