|
 |
Welcome
to the
Greater London
Pensioners Association
|
Activities of GLPA
Over the last few years there has been a definite change of mood among GLPA members.
They feel betrayed by the new Labour Government which had promised them so much
when still in opposition but had not delivered.
Having pursued without success all the usual tactics to try to achieve their goal of a substantial rise in the state pension and the restoration of the link with earnings, they decided to take direct action. They had organised sit-downs in Piccadilly and Oxford Circus, causing chaos as they stopped London's traffic; they stormed into the foyer of the Department of Health; and on the eve of the State Opening of Parliament by the Queen, a pensioner dressed in ermine robes was posted at the gates of Parliament to read out an Alternative Queen's Speech, to the amusement of some of the incoming Members. But probably the most media-catching action was when three pensioners in the Public Gallery threw leaflets down into the Chamber and shouted out their demands. When the security guards tried to evict them from the Gallery they hung on to the balustrades and would not be moved.
 |
GLPA members at recent
"stop the traffic"
in Picadilly
|
|
On the eve of the State Opening of Parliament
by the Queen, a pensioner dressed in ermine robes was posted at the gates of Parliament to read out an Alternative Queen's
Speech
|
Joy Moss
gives the
Alternative Queen's Speech
at the
opening of Parliament
|
Now members are collecting signatures to a further petition to be delivered to 10 Downing Street and one from the NPC to be delivered to the Queen a pensioner herself!). They are also stepping up the pressure on Local MPs, keeping up a constant flow of letters of complaint. Their mail bags are bulging! GLPA members are also trying to get their voices heard in the newest corridors of power the Greater London Authority.
The Future?
With elections looming over the horizon, the Government is more concerned to be seen to be doing the right thing and they are very aware of the
error of judgement they made in giving pensioners a rise of only 75p.
What an insult that was - and the general public recognised it as such. There has definitely been an upsurge of support for the pensioners' case for a substantial pension rise. The chink in the Government's armour is clear. There has even been an upsurge of interest in pensioners' concerns shown by the media. Though their resources are stretched to the limit, GLPA members will take advantage of every opportunity afforded them.
Despite the recent last blow we suffered with the untimely death of our much loved President, Margaret Witham, we are confident that the strong team of Officers that we now have, will be able to inform and inspire members to increase pressure for our just demands -
pensioners deserve a good quality of life in their later years.
We are riot campaigning just for ourselves but for tomorrow's pensioners
too!
A list of officers of GLPA since its inception in 1973:
Gordon Attfield, Phil Kennedy, Ted Barham, Len Lonsinger,
Edith Christer, Tony Maughan, Zelda Curtis Lionel Miller, Marie Glass,
Harry Mundy, Roy Goff, Ben Roston, George Goodfellow, Ken Savage, Harold Goodwin,
Kit Savage, Dave Gough, Lew Smith, Joe Harris, Maurice Styles, Bob Hills,
Margaret Witharn,
Peter James.
And what would any of us do without the selfless and truly gargantuan efforts of our administrator,
Maureen Hagan? Always good natured, ever willing. Thank you, Maureen.
Our thanks also go to Rafeeq, our Volunteer. He is our advice worker plus office worker and a good man to have in an emergency. Thank you
Rafeeq.
|
