Blame capitalism for joblessness, not people over 65

One of the issues was discrimination in age. Immediately, most people there latched on to the despicable situation of over one million of our young being unemployed, which was followed by certain delegates lambasting anyone working after the age of 65 - in particular Lenny McClusky as general secretary of my union Unite - for denying our youth a job.

I explained that our movement, certainly my union, has been fighting to end of all forms of discrimination against anyone in our society, whether it be against women, ethnic, disabled, LGBT, trade unionist, socialist or age, which by the way, based on the letter from Glen Borrill (M Star March 19), is used as a double whammy against any of the previous groups who are activists to remove them from the struggle at the point of production.

Is Glen saying he agrees with that?

One of our more experienced delegates, aged nearly 70, gave this bloke a bollocking, demanding to know what right he had to deny him the right to work until he dropped if he wanted to.

Surely that's what we fought for - our choice - not what this government is forcing us into because of the pension deficit.

Yes, we are also fighting for retirement before 65 based on choice.

We do not accept the argument that older workers create unemployment, it's capitalism that does that by limiting jobs to screw our class.

And as for Lenny McClusky, he is the most progressive general secretary in generations - on a par with "terrible twins" Jack Jones and Hugh Scanlon.

Len will lead this movement to its rightful place, as the vanguard of the struggle against a government hellbent on reversing every working-class gain secured.

Come off it comrade, vote for progress.

George Hickman

GPM/Unite Nisc