13th October 2005

One group of people who have contributed to this country, through working and paying taxes, building trade unions to fight for better conditions for all our people and establishing a health service that was the pride of the nation. This group fought or otherwise contributed through at least one world war, survived rationing and somehow managed to maintain strong healthy communities.

Then came the greed and self interest of the Thatcherite era in which we still live. Now this group are labelled as pensioners and are asked to pay taxes at ever increased rates (relative to income), are subjected to demeaning means-testing, see their local shops and post offices disappear, a two-tier care system that funds nursing but not personal care and are even arrested under anti-terrorism law or imprisoned for continuing to speak up for what they believe to be morally correct. Something is seriously wrong.

Last year my Gloucester MP was asserting the need for a Minister for Older People. Would such a post be used by this 'New' Labour government to better the lives of our most experienced citizens?

The National Association of Pension Funds have just released a report detailing plans for a Citizen's Pension to remedy the shortcomings of the current pension system. The Citizens Pension, along with its partner the Citizens Income have been Green Party policy for a number of years. Only last year the National Pensioners Convention jeered the other political parties but gave Greens a standing ovation, after this policy was laid before them. No wonder Green is the new Grey!

Bryan Meloy
Gloucester Green Party