Some letters and extracts from the forums
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Human Rights? Bah Humbug!
Alan May

The Effrontery of the Personal halo manufacturing of the British Government astounds me!.

How dare they blatantly spout untruths about the U.K.s commitment to equality and human rights on a World wide scale when I hear every day the heartwrenching stories of the British expatriate seniors who after a dedicated working life in Britain,joined their young families in the Commonwealth Countries.

They went to relieve their loneliness and enjoy the companionship and security of their offspring and grandchildren in their declining years.That was my reason for moving to Canada and I was NOT informed by the government that my,now 15 year old1990 pension would be a depreciating asset.

Why should they be penalized financially because of the mean spirit of this and previous governments and the geographic area of their dwelling?

"The principle of equality is the cornerstone of our (U.K) law" said Justice Mc Combe (the Ghurka findings).Why did not the judge apply that rule to the case of Annette Carson the lady in South Africa who asked for her rights to be respected.

Never has equality been so unequal as in the treatment of these loyal British pensioners. Our membership in Canada would appreciate the 200 pound heating allowance now by the directive of the European Court of Human Rights being paid to the pensioners in the Canary Islands and other "toasty" countries in the sunny climates.

Does The Honorable? Tony Blair realize that the baby formula his Mummy fed him was available to him only because my Merchant Navy shipmates "dodged torpedoes" on the Atlantic Run to bring the supplies over from the USA and Canada and now I see them amongst our Membership Living in The basement of their families homes or in tiny apartments subsidized by the Service Organizations.

Next "fact finding "jaunt some officials or M.P's take over here, Come to Vancouver Island and I will introduce you to over a thousand of your
Cheated Expatriates who are very disappointed in the land of their Birth.

Alan May
Vancouver Island Volunteer
Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners.
Vice President
B.C. Branch
Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners
A Merchant Navy Veteran

My parents have asked me to post this with you:
Christine Shrubsole

My husband and I came to Australia to be near our only grandchildren. Both of us were already drawing our pensions and annual increases for several years before we left the UK. My husband having paid his contributions for 45 years received his full entitlement. Our pensions were frozen on the date we left the UK because of where we chose to live. If we had moved to the USA, Phillipines, Israel or any of the countries within the EU and many others besides - our cost of living increases would continue to be paid.

In Australian we fail what is termed Balance of Family, since only 1 of our 4children is resident and a citizen of Australia. We are therefore only entitled to a temporary residence visa - initially for 4 years, which then has to be renewed every 2 years. We are not entitled to Medicare, but have to pay expensive private medical cover and neither can we avail ourselves of any of the age concessions available to pensioners both here and in the UK.

The present Government insist it is their policy to look after the poor in the UK. However, when they pay ?100 -200 Winter fuel allowance to the poor - we learn that this payment is made to those who have retired to Spain, as well as to men 60-64 years, who are still working, provided that they make a claim. This extra is not means-tested and costs ?1.3 billion annually. Yet the Government state that they cannot afford the ?400 million increased pensions to the poor they have created in S.Africa, New Zealand, Canada and Australia (many who after the last war left as pensioners to join their families and have received no increase since)>

The Government did however, manage to increase their own index-linked pension by 16% in 2001-02 and I am sure there can be no doubt that MP's and Senior civil servants aged 60-64 will avail themselves of the winter fuel "perk".

Is there any wonder why the electorate views them with such utter contempt?

Christine Shrubsole, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia