Why losing my Freedom Pass will mean losing much more

Published: 12 August, 2010

• I AGREE with Illtyd Harrington views concerning the attack on the Freedom Pass (July 29).

This will cause hardship and distress to older people in Camden who rely on their passes to visit a lot of places – not to mention shopping around for cheap food and clothing etc.

I am a carer for an elderly relative. I work 24/7; I am unpaid and on an NHS pension. 

My Freedom Pass is essential as it enables me to go to different places to buy decent, healthy, food for us both, at reasonable prices, in places like those pound shops.

I could not do this if I had to pay out for things like bus fares. My pension is not wonderful and I would be unable to subsidise my relative, or to buy her little treats, which she would be unable to afford on her own little pension.

What central and local governments don’t realise is that most of the Freedom Pass holders are in fact war veterans. 

Those between the ages of 70 and 80 most probably fought in Korea, Ireland and Cyprus; while those between 80 and 90, would have fought during World War II, Korea, Ireland, and other wars.

I mention this as all politicians claim to support our veterans, treating them as special people who “deserve the best”.

I would like to suggest that all people who rely on a Freedom Pass should contact their local MP and councillors, as well as the New Journal, to express their feelings on this matter. 

We should withdraw our support for MPs. Their attitude has confirmed what my father used to say: “Politicians are only in their jobs to make money, and to get paid holidays at the voters’ expense”.

You very rarely hear monied and influential people criticise politicians. Perhaps, if you did, they might prevent the railway system from running under their houses.

I would also like to see Frank Dobson and Glenda Jackson involve themselves more. After all, that is why they were voted back in.

I myself did not vote for anyone, because a carer’s needs were not mentioned during election hustings. 

This has convinced me that MPs and local councillors cannot be trusted to tell the truth.
Maureen Land, 
South End Close, NW3