Grey pride: why the heckling pensioners were right
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Version 0 of 1. It turns out that our prime minister has bigger worries than letting slip that he doesn’t fancy a third term in Downing Street. He was heckled at Age UK’s conference on Tuesday by an audience that included 91-year-old Dennis Andrews, who demanded the appointment of a minister for older people. This was hardly surprising given the ongoing frustrations that older people across the country are experiencing with party politics. For me, the heckling was a positive sign. At last, older people’s frustrations are being given attention, after many years of politicians sweeping our views and concerns under the carpet. I hope the heckler made all politicians realise that pensioners may be old, but they are not willing to sit back and accept failures to cope with our ageing society. The “grey vote” can’t be taken for granted. Three years ago, I supported the charitable organisation Anchor’s call for a minister for older people. I wasn’t alone – 137,000 people, old and young, signed its petition. I even joined older people’s campaigner Esther Rantzen in handing the petition in at No 10 Downing Street. But we have still seen no action from the political parties in power. Tuesday’s heckles summed up the frustrations of many of us who have been campaigning for this since 2011. Related: Pensioners mock David Cameron at Age UK conference A minister for older people is not just a fancy title, or a reason for another MP to sit around the table in Downing Street – it’s a role that we need so that pensioners and older people are represented in parliament, to make sure our views are listened to. A minister for older people could take a leading role in sorting out some of the problems pensioners are facing today, and which are only likely to get worse as the population gets older. Cameron also got short shrift from another pensioner, Alfred Clemo, who took him to task on the government’s record on the NHS and the poor care that many older people are receiving. A lot of people my age are worried about healthcare and these concerns need to be addressed. From my work campaigning with Anchor, I know that its Grey Pride manifesto highlights the fact that, on older people’s wards in hospitals, there are far fewer nurses than on general wards. We’re constantly seeing in the news that older people are spending longer in hospital than they need to – and being termed “bed blockers”, casting blame on older patients rather than examining the problems in the system. We’ve heard enough talk; it’s time for action. If we don’t address the problems we’re facing now with health, social care and housing, what will the future be for youngsters when they grow old? Political parties should make the most of the life experience we older voters have. We are not a burden – we have a lot to offer, if they would just listen to us. I still don’t know how I will be voting in May, but with not much time until the polls open, I hope that all politicians will realise that listening to OAPs isn’t just for election time. |