You report that angry Croydon pensioners' are cross that I have not replied to one of their letters. It made a good story, but what is the truth?
In fact, I have replied not to just one but to 180 letters. My reply included a response from the pensions minister to whom I wrote detailing the pensioners' concerns.
If a few have not been replied to these will be dealt with very soon. I might add that I have met with Croydon pensioners on numerous occasions both in my former position as pensions minister and as MP for Croydon North.
The pensioners' chairman, Peter Gibson, a charming veteran Trotskyite, talks darkly about the electoral consequences. In order that your readers understand the politics here they should be reminded that this is the same Peter Gibson who stood against me at the last general election, supposedly as a pensioners' champion.
The result? Mr Gibson received 394 votes; I, as the Labour candidate, won with 23,555 votes. It is clear that the great majority of pensioners in Croydon North voted for substance over bluster.
MALCOLM WICKS MP for Croydon North
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