WASPI demo in London (re state pension age rise)

Sorry, it's probably bad form, but I''m going to bump my own thread, as this issue is so important to many Gransnetters.

Will check WASPI Facebook page. Thanks for the heads up (horrible phrase- sorry!)

There's a lot going on in WASPI land, all party groups, lobbying councillors etc but as yet no meeting with Stephen Crabb and nothing more from Ros Altmann. The petition reached 197,000 I think before it closed.

I signed the petition but I cannot physically get there. I do not have Facebook so know little about the details.

I'm sure you'll be there in spirit though, Charleygirl. I'm trying to rearrange DGS2's child care so that I can get there - if I do I'll shake a fist for you, shall I?

I can't get to London but will be with you in spirit. I've written to my (lovely) MP and he passed my letter on and I received a reply which seems to just bang on about whether women were informed or not. I don't care about the niceties of women having been informed; I care a lot about women being deprived of pensions that they've paid into all their lives and have not been given enough to time to do anything about the shortfall especially it's usually women in low paid (and often hard) work which they're now expected to carry on doing for YEARS. Shame on those politicians who have colluded with this.

I signed the petition but cant get to London but I will be supporting from here.
Well said Newquay

Good to hear this I'm going g to try and get the time to go any other Surrey Gransnetters interested .It's quite easy to set up a Facebook account I'll post on mine,.

Well, I'm definitely going. Got my train booked and I've been in touch with another WASPI woman travelling down on the same one, so we'll each have someone to talk to It looks as though there's going to be a good turn-out, from all the activity on the WASPI site.

We're hoping for plenty of publicity for the cause. We're all wearing black and the purple WASPI sashes, so if any London supporters spot us around town on the day, please cheer us on.

I'm sneaking another little bump onto this. Just in case there are people out there who would like to support the WASPI cause and haven't heard about the demo. There are people converging on London from all over the country (and beyond!), including some travelling down on megabuses from the North of Scotland (sooner them than me! ). I believe there are going to be some local events on the day too, for those who can't travel. They might be worth looking out for if you would like to join in or give them a wave!

A new All Party Parliamentary Group was finalised yesterday to support the WASPI women. There are some very committed and forceful MPs in it, so onwards and upwards!

Charleygirl WASPI now have a website: waspi.co.uk It's only just been launched so still developing. They hope to reach more people this way.

I will be going just need to arrange the day off.

I'll see you there then, Amira15. Perhaps we Gransnet WASPIs should agree to have an identifier - something clipped to the WASPI sash, maybe - so that we can say hello to each other

Ros Altmann has now agreed to meet Waspi to show she cares, but has no budget....Not sure what good this will do!

"LOBBY YOUR MP in LONDON on 29th June, Demo day, from 1.30 - 7.30pm

Whilst you do not need an appointment to lobby it would be logical to ask your MP as soon as possible if he/she will be there and to tell him/her that you intend to visit them.

If there are many of you wishing to speak to the same MP, then please ask him/her to book a meeting room. Group co-ordinators are contacting members regarding this so if you belong to a local group hang fire as they will advise.

You do not need a letter from your MP to enter the House, just tell the security at the Houses of Parliament that you wish to see your MP. There will be people to direct you. Please, be aware that if there are many people lobbying, there may be delays in admittance to the House.

A pack with information on 'How lobby your MP' will be made available nearer the date." www.facebook.com/WASPI-Women-Against-State-Pension-Inequality-Campaign-877054125688402/
and this news from Westminster MP's "ALL PARTY POLITICAL GROUP
WASPI is delighted that the AGM was so well attended with over 120 signing up to be members of the group on the first day.

Even more delighted that they adopted the following as the purpose of the APPG:-
"To provide a cross-party forum in which to hold the government to account on the issue of transitional arrangements to compensate 1950s-born women who are affected by changes to the State Pension Age and to campaign on issues around the State Pension Age".

Still no meeting with Ros Altmann.

Really pleased to see the thread about this subject on here.
Have booked my ticket up to London and looking forward to going and to meeting up with other WASPI members.
First time in my life I have taken part in a demonstration.

Me too, faringdon59, and I'm looking forward to this one. I've even volunteered for the choir which will be singing the WASPI anthem on the day, so if you hear a bum note or three, that'll be me!

The new WASPI website is looking pretty good now, and there are lots of local support groups springing up all over the country.

Fingers crossed some good will come of all the hard work.

waspi.co.uk/

Ros is meeting the 5 WASPI founders after the demo on 29th. Here's hoping.....

Any one seen any mention of this in the media today? Probably overshadowed by Brexit news.

Yes - I saw it tonight - unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to turn it up to listen to it but it did make the local news - I think the people they were speaking to were from Yorkshire.