Cameron attacks Labour 'lies' about Tory plans for elderly

TORY leader David Cameron has accused Labour of peddling "complete and utter lies" to pensioners by claiming his party would ditch benefits for elderly people.

Mr Cameron exploded with rage as he accused Labour of "frightening" pensioners with false claims on campaign leaflets that he would scrap winter fuel allowance, free TV licences and free bus passes.

Visibly angered at his monthly Press conference, he condemned the claims made in leaflets and letters sent out by Labour candidates – including Hemsworth MP Jon Trickett – and claimed Labour was trying to frighten elderly people and scare them off voting for a change of government.

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"We will keep the winter fuel allowance," said Mr Cameron. "Let me take this opportunity to say very clearly to any pensioner ...You know you are getting letters from the Labour Party that say the Conservatives would cut the winter fuel allowance, would cut the free bus travel, would cut the free TV licence. These statements by Labour are quite simply lies."

He added: "I don't use the word lie very often, but I am using it today because they are lies.

"A Conservative government would keep the winter fuel allowance, would keep the free TV licence, would keep the money for pensioners.

"Don't be frightened by a Government that is trying to scare you into not opting for change. It is totally irresponsible.

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"If the Prime Minister has a moral compass, could he get it out from under the sofa, have a look at it and stop his candidates from lying about Conservative policy?"

The pensioners' vote will be fiercely contested at the coming election, as older people tend to be more likely to turn out to the ballot box and make up a growing proportion of the electorate.

Already, rows over the funding of care for the elderly have become a key political battleground, the Tories having launched a major billboard campaign opposing Labour's possible "death tax" where money is taken out of estates to pay for care costs.

Mr Cameron's angry response came after he was asked whether a Tory government would cut any of the benefits paid out to elderly people, such as the winter fuel payment, which is worth between 125 and 400 to over-60s.

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Later the Tories produced a "dossier" of eight leaflets or letters sent out by Labour MPs or candidates.

In a letter to constituents in January, Mr Trickett, a Parliamentary aide to the Prime Minister, said they should "think carefully about where you put your cross", and asked: "Do you really want a Conservative MP representing you in Parliament?"

It went on to say: "If you are a pensioner you could lose your winter fuel allowance, free travel, eye tests, swimming, TV licence and passport, and your pension credit."

Labour accused Mr Cameron of putting on a display of "synthetic" anger.

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A spokesman said Tory Shadow Business Secretary Ken Clarke had said free TV licences and bus passes "ought to be looked at" while a Shadow pensions Minister had refused to commit to retaining the winter fuel allowance.

"It's a bit rich for David Cameron to claim we are the party scaremongering old people when he put a tombstone on a poster about caring for the elderly," said the spokesman.

"The Tories have repeatedly opposed the support we have given to pensioners and they opposed the introduction of the winter fuel allowance. In the middle of a recession, they opposed the extra 60 help for pensioners."