About the NPC
- The NPC’s main objective is to promote the welfare and interests of all pensioners, as a way of securing dignity, respect and financial security in retirement.
- The NPC organises rallies and lobbies of MPs, leads delegations to parliament and makes submissions to government on policies affecting older people. The Convention also stages an annual three-day Pensioners’ Parliament in Blackpool, where over 2000 representatives discuss issues of concern and share ideas in an atmosphere of genuine friendship.
- The NPC also features regularly in both the local and national media and uses every opportunity to raise awareness of the issues that affect older people. One of the Convention's priorities is to therefore influence public opinion and where appropriate, secure changes in government policy.
- The real strength of the organisation however comes from the work of our many affiliated groups, who are active in their local areas and regions promoting the NPC’s campaigns. This makes the Convention unique, as the only national campaign group in the country which is run by pensioners for pensioners.
- To keep our supporters informed the NPC also produces a bi-monthly newspaper called The Message, alongside briefing papers and pamphlets, as well as organising seminars, training sessions and educational schools. The Convention also maintains a library of useful information on a wide range of subjects, which is available to both groups and individuals on request.
- With more support the NPC will be able to continue to develop its organisation, strengthen its influence and increase its level of activity as the campaigning voice of both today's and tomorrow's pensioners.
History of the NPC
When Jack Jones retired as general secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union in March 1978 he was well aware that there was no single organisation which represented and campaigned on behalf of pensioners. Although some trade unions had retired members’ sections, and there were various pensioner organisations and charities in existence, there was no umbrella body that could co-ordinate and lead the campaign.
At the TUC conference in June 1978, a Campaign for Pensioners was agreed and on later that year Jack Jones proposed that a one day National Pensioners’ Convention be arranged by a small steering committee. The object of the Convention would be carry forward the TUC’s Campaign for Pensioners and the issues to be discussed would include the need for travel concessions, help with telephone and TV charges, rising heating costs, the Christmas bonus and the provision of social care. The primary aim of the campaign would centre around the demand that pensioner couples should receive a state pension of not less than half the average gross earnings and a single pensioner one third of average gross earnings.
On the 14 June 1979 the first National Pensioners’ Convention was held at the Central Hall, Westminster; attended by 2500 older people, who discussed and then adopted a Declaration of Intent. It stated: “This Convention declares that every pensioner has the right to choice, dignity, independence and security as an integral and valued member of society”.
In 1981, the first ever National Pensioners’ Day was organised for 4 March – taking the form of a mass lobby of Parliament. It was followed by meetings between members of the steering committee and the then leaders of the two main parties. Later that year on 12 November, a Pensioners’ Action Day was arranged; where the focus was on local groups organising events in their own areas.
Between the 3rd National Pensioners Convention in 1982 and the 8th in 1987 all staged in the Central Hall, Westminster, the steering committee also organised a regular Pensioners’ Action Day in September every year and a march at the beginning of the TUC conference. During this time, a petition with over 1 million signatures calling for Justice for Pensioners was also presented to Parliament.
On 17 January 1986, the steering committee agreed to encourage the development of regional and local pensioners’ groups, including minority elders’ groups and trade union retired members’ sections. It also agreed to develop links with outside bodies and continue with an annual Convention and lobby of MPs.
Around late 1988, the TUC decided it was no longer able to provide any financial, secretarial or other assistance to the steering committee, and the time had come to turn the NPC into an independent and separate entity – run by pensioners for pensioners.
In January 1991 a new umbrella organisation was discussed, with a governing council, an executive committee and officers. Constituent organisations were to finance a federation of independent pensioner organisations. In April 1992, representatives of 357 organisations attended a two-day Congress in Birmingham at which an amended version of the Declaration of Intent was adopted. This marked both the start of the annual Pensioners’ Parliament and the birth of the NPC in the way it is known today.
This account is taken from archives at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick and from information supplied by Roland Worth (first secretary of the NPC), Cyril Marshall (NPC treasurer Dec 1991 to Dec 2008) and Edith Pocock MBE (Norfolk and Norwich Pensioners Association).
Structure of NPC
The NPC’s federal structure promotes the principle of delegatory democracy, so that the widest possible number of pensioners can have their views represented and discussed, and in turn, receive information and material, through the structures of their own organisations.
Local pensioner groups and forums are therefore encouraged to affiliate to their NPC regional body and that body has representation on both the NPC Executive Committee (EC) and National Council (NC). They can also join the NPC directly, so as to ensure that they receive all the important information, publications and newsletters.
Likewise, local branches of retired trade unionists and federations can have their views promoted via their national body’s delegates to the EC and NC.
In addition, major policy issues, changes to the constitution and the election of the NPC’s officers are dealt with at the Biennial Delegate Conference open to all recognised national affiliates and regional groups.
The NPC’s structure is as follows:
All affiliates receive regular pamphlets, briefing papers, general campaign information and bulk copies of the NPC’s newspaper – The Message. Most importantly, groups also have the opportunity to join the NPC’s regional group covering their area and through that body, elect the leadership of the NPC, determine its policies and have a say on the Convention’s NC and EC.
To assist the EC in developing the role and policy of the NPC, the organization also has a number of working parties with specific interests. These include: finance, structure, pensions, health, transport, black and ethnic elders, women and trade unions. These working parties regularly organise events and produce information materials, but remain responsible to the EC for their activities.
NPC Officers
Frank Cooper
President
Dot Gibson
General Secretary
David Kippest
Treasurer
Syd Ashby
Vice-President and European Advisor
Joe Harris
Vice-President and Pensions Advisor
Pat Healy
Vice-President and Age Equality Advisor
Peter Rayner
Vice-President and Transport Advisor