Campaigns & issues

There are 14 million of us aged over 60. And we vote. Politicians cannot afford to ignore us. The prize for those who successfully engage with us will be huge. We are the generation who could decide the next election. In 2010 we will cast more than four out of every ten votes.

Our votes cannot be taken for granted. For us‚ the challenges of ageing are close to home and front of mind - respect‚ support‚ money‚ health‚ participation. We will judge politicians on the basis of what they will do in response.

We are not a voting bloc with interests set apart from the rest of society. We care about our families’ and grandchildren’s futures – from schools to global warming. We know that our wellbeing depends on a strong economy and strong families. And we know that however young‚ everyone should expect a happy and secure later life.

This is our agenda for later life:

• Respect – an end to upper age limits in work and insurance‚ support for older jobseekers
• Support – radical reform of our care system‚ with protection for today’s spending and safeguards for Attendance Allowance
• Money – automatic payment of benefits‚ more help with fuel bills‚ and the State Pension linked to earnings
• Health – treatment of common illnesses‚ diagnosis of depression‚ and healthcare with dignity
• Participation – free local travel for all‚ age-friendly councils‚ and lifetime homes
• Worldwide - action on later life within development programmes‚ basic pensions across the world‚ and a new UN convention on older people

To find out more‚ download the PDF summarising our election manifesto‚ 'Our power is our number'‚ which can be found on the right hand side of this page. If you are interested in reading our election manifesto in full‚ you can download it at the bottom of this page.

Voter figures are estimates produced by Dr Scott Davidson at De Montfort University‚ August 2009.

Need more information?

If you are an election candidate or agent interested in engaging with the age agenda during the election please email Angela Kitching‚ angela.kitching@ace.org.uk

If you are a or journalist‚ please contact Vicky Smith‚ Vicky.smith@ace.org.uk

If you are a member of the public or part of a group working with people in later life and would like campaign materials to send to your election candidates please contact campaigns@ace.org.uk