NEWS RELEASE
From the office of the Green MEPs


April 14, 2004

Press Invitation and photocall. Press invitation and photocall.

Event: Green MEP joins Islington Pensioners' Forum European Elections Panel
Place: Islington Town Hall Time:
Thursday, Thursday April 15th, 10.30am-12 Noon

GREEN EURO-MP BIDS FOR 'GREY VOTE' AT PENSIONERS' PANEL

GREEN Party MEP Jean Lambert bids for the influential 'grey vote' tomorrow when she joins rivals from other main political parties on a European Elections Panel organised by the Islington Pensioners Forum.

Mrs Lambert, London Euro-MP and co-president of the European Parliament's all-party group on Ageing, will tell the Islington Town Hall meeting that a vote for the Green Party is a vote for the party's 'Pensioners' Pledge' to guarantee a decent state pension for all, scrap means testing for pensioners and fight age discrimination in the workplace.

"More than two thirds of Britain's 11 million pensioners live in poverty - many more face discrimination, decaying public services, poor public transport and a failing NHS," said Mrs Lambert, who is also the Green party' s shadow spokesperson on pensions and social affairs.

"The Green Party believes pensioners deserve a life of pride and dignity, with a decent state pension, fair local taxation, better mobility and health care, and the establishment of a National Older Persons Commission to champion their rights both with the Government and, when necessary, in the courts."

ENDS
Notes to Editors

Jean will address the National Pensioners' Convention in Blackpool on May 18th

For more information - or copies of the Green Party's 'Pensioner's Pledge - please contact Ben 020 7407 6280, 07973 823358 or press@greenmeps.org.uk