We recently held a competition asking young Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people what they would do if they were Prime Minister for a day. We received over 60 excellent submissions from young people across all of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
Every entry we received was thoughtful, considered and gave us a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of young Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in the UK. There were a number of recurring themes across the submissions which included bullying, the lack of Traveller sites and a number of young people expressed their frustration at being followed around shops by security guards. Many young people also said that they would spend their day as Prime Minister helping homeless people.
Here are our top ten favourite submissions:
If I were Prime Minister for a day, I would…
“educate people to not see Travellers as different people but to see them as their friends.”
Lyza, New Traveller – aged 12
If I were Prime Minister for a day, I would…
“build more site for us Travellers because loads of us are in the road. For us Travellers to have more rights in racism in schools”
Jane, Romany Gypsy, – aged 15.
If I were Prime Minister for a day, I would…
“I would try my best to achieve world peace”
Willy, Traveller – aged 15.
If I were Prime Minister for a day, I would…
“make the NHS better so that everyone gets the care they need.”
Lavinia, Roma – aged 12
If I were Prime Minister for a day, I would…
“Teach more Traveller Gypsy and Showman history in schools, make sure there is enough sites so Travellers aren’t forced into houses as a lot of Gypsies find them selfs homeless I have gone through this myself. I would love to encourage more Travellers to speak on TV and at events to raise awareness and change stereotypes. I would find funding for more community halls on travelling sites like the one we use to have at clays lane before it was knocked down for Olympics.”
Charmaine, Romany Gypsy – aged 21
If I were Prime Minister for a day, I would…
“make a law that no homeless person would live on the streets anymore and all PDSA pets were free and no one would go hungry and all transport to jobs/schools were free”
Kiah, New Traveller – aged 13
If I were Prime Minister for a day, I would…
“change all bathrooms to steam rooms, put elevators in the home to go up to a family room with a Jacuzzi.”
Maggie, Traveller
If I were Prime Minister for a day, I would…
“Make the sea clean again for the fish”
Jess – aged 14
If I were Prime Minister for a day, I would…
“If I was Prime Minister for a day I would let Travellers into pubs”
Chris – aged 15
If I were Prime Minister for a day, I would…
“give Gypsies and Travellers more rights for that day. I would let the girls wear bows in their hair and jewellery and boys wear riding boots. And if anyone called us pikeys they would be told to police and parents would be informed.”
Lily-May – aged 12
Each person who entered the competition was put in a draw to win:
- Two Thorpe Park Annual Passes
- A Mac Make up Lesson
- A pair of Adidas boxing gloves
The winners have all been contacted today and are very excited about their prizes!
Discussing the competition, Sarah Mann, Co-Director of Friends, Families and Travellers said:
“We were overwhelmed by all the great responses to our competition. We would like to congratulate the winners and hope that they enjoy their prizes. All of the young people who entered showed real concern about other people, particularly those who are vulnerable.
We want to encourage and support young Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people to get their voices heard in politics and policy making. If the responses to this competition are anything to go by, there are many young Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people who would make excellent politicians.”
We would like to express our gratitude to all of the young people who entered the competition.
Please note that when gathering responses, some participants asked to remain anonymous, or to have their names changed for publication.
About Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT)
Friends, Families and Travellers are a leading national charity that work on behalf of all Gypsies, Roma and Travellers regardless of ethnicity, culture or background.
Media Contact
Sarah Sweeney
Tel: 07963 382 190 Email: sarahsweeney@gypsy-traveller.org
