National Service for Pensioners

He still has a misguided view if he believes morality and a sense of duty are not chacteristic of this generation. I would love to have a conversation with him to find out where he has got this view from.

I have just read the actual article (always a good idea) and it was Nick Hurt who suggested "the baby boom generation should volunteer when they retire instead of spending all their free time playing golf"

"However, Lord Wei warned that a moralising “nanny state” approach would fail with the consumer-minded generation born in the post-War baby boom years.

“Baby boomers are the youngest older generation we have ever seen,” he said. “They have a lot of things they want to do. How can we support them to live the life that they dreamed of while at the same time connect them with opportunities that can help all of us?

“They are not into morality, they’re not into duty. They are into purpose and meaning and enjoying life. "

Lord Wei seems to be advocating setting up a system to help pass on the fruits of older people's experience to those starting out, as often happens informally as it is. I don't get the impression that he is grudging them enjoying their retirement.

My thoughts entirely, POGS. We should invite him to one of our webchats!

He does sound a bit of a prat I must admit.

Think if we all email Lord W with a list of what we have done /do and invite him to respond it might be interesting.

Tell you what We are sure not bored in retirement , it"s great , lovely times together before we had the children plus now we have money to indulge ourselves .. "baby boomers , whey hey "!!! "Seniors" !!!! xxx

[email protected]

He can be contacted on this

Oh sorry absent now I must remember to start being humble and know my place [apologitic emoticon]

Don't be silly, AlisonM, he's not remotely interested in the views of a bunch of foolish old women (with no morality or sense of duty). He's a Lord and an important person.

How can we get him to read this? He should know our views

JessM Not to mention the fact that a far higher proportion of British grandparents provide 10 or more hours of childcare each week than any other European grandparents.

I don't think he meant to say 'mortality', granb.

The actual quote from the Telegraph is:

"They are not into morality, they’re not into duty. They are into purpose and meaning and enjoying life."

Lord Wei of Much Silliness in the Marsh - somewhere in Berkshire isn't it? Who runs the parish council and the WI I wonder? Not to mention looking after the ancient church, doing the flowers, organising the fete and visiting "the elderly".
Who are the carers of the very old, by the way, you whippersnapper, most often they are people in their 60s, 70s and even 80s.

And too much tax in my opinion!

I think he meant to say mortality.

I am always amused by these whippersnappers who go on about older people.
They behave as if we came into the world aged sixty plus and don't realise they are on the path to our age too.
As they behave towards us, they are showing their children how to behave towards them.
By the way, we pay taxes too.

"Baby boomers are the youngest older generation we have ever seen. … They are not into morality,they're not into duty. If we don't facilitate this, there is going to be war. There are going to be arguments up and down the country because one generation thinks the other generation should be doing something."

So we are not into morality or duty? I worked full time and ran a Guide Unit until I had my last stroke. Like other Leaders and helpers I would have been prepared to continue in a leader role but the Guide Association 'retires' you after 60. You can join the Trefoil Guild but they don't become involved with leadership although they work behind the scenes.

After becoming disabled my husband and I joined a group that worked for disabled people by working with the council, transport groups, leisure groups amongst others to discuss access etc. I went into the local school to help in various ways like listening to reading, help with maths etc. I spoke to the children at school and in the Guides about disability helped the Guides raise money for the Stroke Association and joined a village campaign group for better facilities for the youth. Not telling them what they needed but discussed what they wanted.

In short worked With the young people not Telling them what they should have. I think that many people who give up their time doing their 'duty' should be given a great big THANK YOU not told they don't do enough.

That must have had an interesting effect, whitewave.

I ate bowls and bowls of stewed rhubarb

I have only ever drunk tea when pregnant!

I think the personal advisers and SPADs are there to do the propping up; just a shame that some of this lot don't seem terribly good at it. I certainly don't think their relationship with civil servants is always a good one!

i think Yes minister was closer to the truth than we could ever know! Thatcher loved the programme!

nanaej yes I thought that was really obvious when call me Dave was first elected he seemed so green I guess the good old civil service was proping him up

Much of politics is determined by unelected spin doctors /advisors etc! many MPs and ministers have no idea about the areas they asked to take responsibility for and have to rely on others!
To make a young advisor a Lord is just away for politicians to get someone else onside in the HoL!

Anagram I think it makes you an addict! I am a tea - totaller, never touch the stuff, can't stand the smell. Coffee till lunch time, lots, fruit tea or lemon in hot water in the afternoon and then in the evening wine, or whatever DH brings me! Not sure how this fits the thread but don't they all morph off into something else.

Skill, mamie, pure skill!