Let me be absolutely clear on this issue for the sake of Nigel Baker and all others who support Brighton and Hove City Council's soft-touch attitude on travellers.

I am as far removed from being discriminatory or intolerant as it is possible to be.

But one thing I totally refuse to condone is activity which, by its implications, causes untold misery to law-abiding residents who pay their (massive) council tax and see their beautiful local environment turned over by a group of people with no concern for the law.

I have no problem with anyone living their lives the way they wish to, however different from my own lifestyle, but as a politician, I will not ignore the obvious plight of others who live their lives by the law only to see it being flouted by others with nothing but contempt for the law.

-David Gold, Brighton Pavilion Conservative Association