It sounds bonkers but the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), which has 1.5million members, has been blocked, it says, from having a representative on Question Time.
NPC's general secretary Dot Gibson, 76, explains: "We were told our representatives wouldn't be able to cope with the lights and the stress of a live broadcast. It's ridiculous and condescending and smacks of ageism. We have accused the BBC of ageism in the past as it seems they don't want to acknowledge our existence or our right to a voice in society."
The NPC has been campaigning for over two years to secure a slot on Question Time, and has watched while the BNP and other unsavoury organisations have been given a platform to air their views. But our senior citizens, it seems, are just too much. Now the NPC is fighting back with a bit of direct action and grey power. It's leafleting audiences at Question Time venues, e-mailing producers and, on Friday, picketing the BBC in Salford. All ages are welcome to join in!
No More Age Discrimination On Question Time
Friday 28th October 5pm
BBC North, MediaCityUK, Salford Quays
Main Entrance
The NPC is also asking people to e-mail the relevant producers with polite requests to allow reps from the National Pensioners Convention onto the Question Time panel…
pcardwell@mentorn.tv and nicolai.gentchev@bbc.co.uk
Meanwhile, the Salford Pensioners Association is about to be re-launched. Watch this space for further details.
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