• WHEN politicians, the Government in particular, remember that to-days older people paid, and are still paying taxes for dignity in their later years.

• WHEN Gordon Brown remembers to fulfil the promise he made TEN years ago to free Pensioners from the divisive, inefficient and expensive Means Testing.

• WHEN the basic state pension, LINKED TO EARNINGS, is increased to a level sufficient to give independence and security, ensuring Pensioners enjoy a fair share of the prosperity they helped to create.

• WHEN Nursing and Personal Care for older people, which are inextricably entwined, is available FREE at the point of need.

• WHEN Pensioners are not singled out to Pay for Hospital Care by having their State Pensions savagely reduced after six weeks in HOSPITAL.

• WHEN Elderly people do not have to rely on Charity to avoid hypothermia.

• WHEN our Government create an ethos of respect for the older generation, thus doing away with age discrimination. Pensioners are not a burden on society but an asset.

• WHEN the Prime Minister recollects that the mark of a civilised society is how they treat the very young and the very old.

Lydney Branch of the British Pensioners & Trade Union Action Association

Email: Geoff02@ntlworld.com