It is estimated that one out of every five people in Malta is elderly. In mathematic terms, this means that 20 per cent of voters are elderly people. Needless to say, this is a strong and powerful force, a “weapon” so powerful that, used with a certain intelligence, it can change the future of Malta either for the better or for the worse.

Dear elderly pensioners, are you bursting with joy with the way the government has rewarded you with a miserable Lm1.10 a week added to your pension? The high cost of living has not escaped you, so are you truly in a position where you can say this budget was favourable towards you?

Don’t you feel that you are second-class citizens, when the government deemed it fit to raise the pay cheque of workers by Lm1.75, while you get a meagre Lm1.10 a week?

Is it fair that there are many kinds of medicines that you have to buy because the treatment for your malady is either out of stock at the hospital or else, because you have reached the ripe old age of 75, certain medicines have been denied you?

Can you honestly say that you find all medicines available from health centres? Is it also fair to state that, after constantly droning on and on during this last budget about how Malta’s financial position is in a thriving state, the government has further added insult to injury by giving you just Lm1.10c a week?

Dear pensioners – those of you whom, by the grace of God, are still strong in spite of having the fortune of celebrating many birthdays – can you honestly and truly declare that the pension you received 15 years ago and that was sufficient then is still adequate now, now that the cost of living has been blown to gigantic proportions?

Dear pensioners, live your remaining years serene and happy. You deserve it. Vote for the Malta Labour Party. After all, that party was the same party who allowed you to have a pension in the first place. Change the future of Malta for the better with your “vote”.

Valerie Borg

Valletta