The Tories did pledge to continue free TV for over 75s in their 2017 manifesto, appearing to overturn George Osborne's sleight of hand (along with speeding up the pension changes for women born in the 50s) to save even more money by picking a soft target.
The BBC should not be in this position today.
All those saying it will be OK because the poorest pensioners on pension credit will still get it and the rest should be able to afford it are ignoring the realities of life in Britain today for the just-about-managing.
Rather than remove yet another benefit for all except those who can be means-tested-to-death, why not accept that those who can afford it should simply not apply for it? That leaves the option open for them to apply if there is a change in circumstances, which can happen to any of us.
And George Osborne should be the subject of an enquiry by one of the more robust Westminster all-party committees. Televised, of course.