The Bolton and District Pensioners Action Group has called on politicians to 'give people hope' as it launched its manifesto.

The group launched its manifesto on the steps of Bolton Town Hall this week.

The manifesto calls for action to address the climate crisis, end the housing crisis, introduce ‘fair pensions’ – including raising the personal allowance, to fix ‘our broken health and social care system’ and to close the ‘inequality gap’.

The group’s secretary, Bernie Gallagher – who was expelled from the Labour party earlier this year – gave her views on last night’s ITV leadership debate at the manifesto launch.

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Speaking to The Bolton News, Bernie said: “I think they weren’t saying very much, really. Keir Starmer is keeping his cards very close to his chest. Rishi Sunak stands on his track record: 14 years of austerity.

“We need something different, we need some hope – and, to be honest, I don’t think either of them were giving us any hope, it just felt more of the same.”

The group’s manifesto calls for compensation for WASPI women – who did not receive notice that their state pension age had changed.

It also calls for clean air zones, net zero carbon emissions by 2030, an increase in the personal allowance to £15,000, and an end to the so-called 'bedroom tax', among other demands.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer visited Bolton’s Bridge Cafe yesterday, where he spoke about the cost-of-living crisis and ‘ensuring every pensioner has dignity in older age’.

Despite this, the action group was not invited.

The Bolton News: Secretary Bernie Gallagher said she didn't think Sunak or Starmer were giving much hopeSecretary Bernie Gallagher said she didn't think Sunak or Starmer were giving much hope (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

Bernie said: “He never met us, he never approached us – I think he might have got some tough questioning had he met us.”

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The campaigner, herself a WASPI woman, added: “I think he might be afraid of tough questions. His position – and I do understand his position to some extent – is to make sure that he’s not tripped up on the money, where the money’s coming from.

“They are wedded to the Tory’s fiscal plans. If you’re wedded to that then some of the demands we’re asking for in our manifesto, he wouldn’t be able to meet.

“There needs to be a different system, there needs to be a different economic model. The fiscal plans that the Tories have had haven’t delivered for us, and they’re not going to deliver for us under a Starmer government.

“It will be better, don’t get me wrong, I firmly believe it will be better because I don’t think it can be any worse, but we need something more radical. People are crying out for hope.”

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.