Crowds of determined older people gathered in front of Belfast City Hall this morning for the launch of a unique pensioners’ election campaign, which aims to harness the power of the ‘grey vote’ in the lead up to the general election.  The campaign, which has been named ‘A Pensioners’ Manifesto’, is supported by Age NI, Age Sector Platform, Irish Congress of Trade Unions (NI) and National Pensioners’ Convention (NI).

The Manifesto was developed for older people, by older people in Northern Ireland and sets out the issues which were deemed most important; and which older people would like to see addressed by their Westminster politicians. 

Following the launch today, a pensioners’ campaign bus embarked on its journey to the first of many road show events over the coming weeks; visiting Ballymena this afternoon.  This road show will allow older people throughout the region to participate in the campaign, and will also provide them with the opportunity to meet with and speak to some of their local political representatives.

Ivan Baxter, a member of the campaign group, commented: “This sort of pensioners’ election campaign has never been attempted before, and it is something that applies to every older person across all communities in Northern Ireland, which is why we hope that every older person will really get behind it!  This is a manifesto to give those who vote the most, something to vote about!  There are often very few opportunities for us older people to connect with our local representatives, and this campaign will allow this to happen very easily.”

Mr Baxter continued: “Older people can get involved in this campaign in a number of ways.  They can attend any of the road show events over the next few weeks, where they will be able to interact with their local political representatives.  Campaign postcards have also been produced so that people can sign their name and give the postcard to their local election candidate.  Finally, an online petition has been created so that older people and election candidates can sign their name in support of the campaign.”

Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Danny Lavery, officially launched the campaign and road show by cutting loose a cluster of Pensioners’ Manifesto balloons and the crowd applauded as the balloons floated through the cloudless blue sky above City Hall.  He commented: “I am delighted to have been involved in such an important campaign.  Today’s send off from Belfast City Hall has hopefully sent a clear message to the older population here; that they should become more comfortable with, and more frequent at interacting with their local political representatives.  I wish the Pensioners’ Manifesto Group all the best with their campaign and road show.” 

If you would like copies of the manifesto postcard, please telephone 028 9031 2089.  To sign the online petition, visit www.pensionersmanifesto.org.