The Southwark Declaration
adopted unanimously by delegates to the Conference
on "All our Tomorrows" on 5th March 2001
This conference believes that a credible
and sustainable policy for pensions must be based on a social contract
between the generations, using the machinery of social insurance to
achieve a fair distribution of the national income between the working and
retired population; and that the acceptance of such a policy by the
Government depends on the creation of a nationwide alliance of
organisations and individuals, young and old, in support of state
pensions on which retired people can live in comfort, without
relying on either means-testing or private pensions of uncertain value;
and we call on those who share these beliefs, in all parts of the United
Kingdom, to take the following action:
(a) locally and nationally, form alliances
between groups concerned about the quality of life;
(b) find ways of channelling anger about social injustice
through shared activities in the pursuit of agreed objectives;
(c) open up pensioners' organisations to younger members;
(d) promote knowledge of pensions issues through schools,
universities, churches and trade unions;
(e) make effective use of the internet;
(f) make effective use of communication techniques such as street
theatre and direct action;
(g) be prepared to criticise government and other political
parties when necessary and to make them aware of the power of
the 'grey vote'. |
We congratulate the organisers
of this conference, which should stimulate similar action across the
United Kingdom.
The Southwark Declaration
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