On Monday 28 November I had the great pleasure of speaking at an event held in Parliament on the ‘Grey Pride’ campaign. The campaign calls on the Government to appoint a dedicated Minister for Older People with responsibility for championing the needs of people aged over 65 at Cabinet level.

Our ageing society is something to be celebrated, not feared.  All too often we seem to talk about older people as if they are a ‘burden’, forgetting the huge contribution that the over 65s make to our families, communities and society as a whole. Speaking up for our ageing population is also an issue that really matters to people: 137,000 people have already signed the ‘Grey Pride’ petition – that’s more people than supported the recent petition for an ‘in-out’ EU referendum!

Ed Miliband has appointed me as the Shadow Minister for Care and Older People, attending the Shadow Cabinet. I want to see the issues affecting older people move from the sidelines to the centre of policy and national life, where they belong.

I hope that David Cameron follows suit and appoints a Minister for Older People at Cabinet level.