Are pensioners the new revolutionaries?

I realise I’ve probably come to this a little late, but after reading the story of the chap in Bristol who chained himself to a lamppost in order to stop the council from taking it away who said “Retired people like me are going to lead the revolution”, it now seems obvious that this really is going to be the case in the future.

A sign saying 'Caution seniors'
Watch out old people!!
© Calamity Meg // CC

After all, people are living longer and birth rates are down, so we know that the population of pensioners is going to keep increasing while there are ever fewer employed people to sustain them. I think it’s fair to say that the UK sees political apathy on a massive scale, particularly amongst people under thirty, and with the two major parties so seemingly similar it only serves to drive up indifference. This means that we’ll have more than ever of what is normally considered the most politically motivated demographic (note: I can not find any statistics to back any of this up, the Electorial Commission seems to be lacking this kind of analysis) – and in particular those who have already retired will have the most time on their hands to wage whatever campaigns they see fit with no serious fear of reprisals (and it’s not as if they’ll have to take time off work).

Of course, there are some potential downsides:

  • retirement age is going to go up
  • cost of living will go up (a leverage point since the UK Government controls the state pension)
  • old people can’t get about as much or as easily – hopefully terminator-style bionics will fix this

Anyway, sounds good to me, viva la revolution! Now, where did I put my glasses?

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4 thoughts on “Are pensioners the new revolutionaries?”

  1. Be careful what you wish for…

    Older generations already have the financial and political power in this country.

    We are already seeing a massive diversion of resources into supporting them e.g. NHS etc., unless the younger generations get their act together this will continue.

  2. *Older* generations might have those powers, but I doubt pensioners do.

    I can’t see younger generations getting their act together, either.

    Frankly so long as they’re publicly active in sufficient numbers for it to matter (maybe five million or so), I don’t really care.

  3. Yes the older generation has significant power in this country. However there is a change occurring. Younger people now face a problem that the older generation is changing, the number of benevolent old people that lived through a world war and believed some ideology is decreasing, more individualistic/selfish older people want to know why they should leave anything behind for the rest of us.

  4. Is this a first Phil, a blog post that doesn’t involve some form of technology 😉

    People always say respect your elders. I guess we should probably start. One possible comfort is that one day we will replace the old people and gain the power.

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