March 28th, 2008.

Boris launches his latest manifesto – ‘Appreciating Our Seniors’

Boris launched his latest manifesto - 'Appreciating Our Seniors', pledging to protect the Freedom Pass and make London safer for older Londoners at a lunchtime hustings event hosted by Age Concern.

The proposal to protect and extend the Freedom Pass, by working with local councils to make it valid very hour of every day, is the central plank of a raft of proposals to allow older Londoners to live their lives fully and freely. Pensioners and activists representing older Londoners welcomed the announcement with loud applause.

Other commitments to make London safer for the one million plus pensioners who live in London, including increasing safety on buses and Chairing the Metropolitan Police Authority were met with equal enthusiasm from a large and knowledgeable hustings crowd.

Other pledges include making London age friendly and fighting to preserve essential public services that have been put under threat of closure by Labour and Ken Livingstone.

Talking outside the hustings event Boris said:

"London must be made more age-friendly, and I say unequivocally that I will protect and extend the Freedom Pass to make it valid 24 hours a day.

"As Mayor I will make it my number one priority to tackle crime and return a feeling of safety to our streets, to ensure that everyone can participate in the life, culture and economy of the greatest city on earth - regardless of their age or the neighbourhood they live in. For many older Londoners, a fear of crime prevents them from living their lives fully and freely.

He added:

"I will also campaign tirelessly to stop the proposed closure of London's post offices and hospitals, which are so important to the senior community.

"Ken Livingstone has spent the last eight years ignoring the concerns of senior citizens in London and it is time for a change. My manifesto will make London safer and easier to live in for the older people who live here. Under my Mayoralty I am certain that London will become a city that cares for and acknowledges its older citizens."

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