I don’t think that many in parliament could avoid being affected on some level by the personal stories told by the supporters of our campaign, and this has been reflected in the cross party support that we have received. Now that we are post-election we will build on that support and move forward. Above all it must be remembered that this government has yet to lay down the legislation required before the changes mentioned in the Budget can be made. We must tailor our campaign accordingly. Budget 2015: ‘The government will ensure that all widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers and firefighters who are killed on duty will no longer lose their survivor benefits if they remarry, cohabit, or form a civil partnership……’ Mr Cameron says that the Conservatives with their majority government will be ‘the party of one nation - one United Kingdom.’ That is excellent news as we are asking them to go one step further and grant us parity with the RUC widows in Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland are part of the United Kingdom. Changes to the Royal Ulster Constabulary Pension Regulations 1988 have resulted in the following: • RUC widows whose spouse died in service were granted lifelong pensions - whether or not they remarry or cohabit with a partner. • RUC widows whose spouse retired from the force and subsequently died were granted lifelong pensions - whether or not they remarry or cohabit with a partner. • RUC widows that have had their pensions revoked as a result of remarriage or cohabiting with a partner are to have them reinstated without back payment. You will need to inform/remind your MP which of the above categories apply to your personal circumstances – be brief we will be writing again soon. I have a number of strategies already planned, but it is vital to carry them out in the right order. Firstly congratulations are in order for our newly appointed MPs and this can be our reason/excuse for contacting them so soon following the general election. Regardless of whether they have held on to their seat or they are newly appointed, they will be summoned to parliament on Monday 18th May 2015. MPs will be sworn in and this is likely to continue over a period of 3/4 days. The State Opening of Parliament will take place on Wednesday 27th May and the Queen’s speech delivered. Messages should be brief as we want them to be gentle reminders that we are still here, and not a horrible annoying drone in the ears of the government and others as they recuperate and regroup. Find your MP: http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/ Points to include in your own words when communicating with: Conservative MPs and the Prime Minister Supporters of our campaign were thrilled to hear that Mr Cameron considered the changes announced in the Budget to be, ‘a start’ and that he, ‘wanted the changes to include as many people as possible.’ He has also said that the 'the Conservatives will be the party of one nation - one United Kingdom.' Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, and as we are asking for parity with N I with regard to police widows’ pensions we are clearly in harmony with Mr Cameron’s intentions. Whatever our personal politics – we can say in all honesty that we are relieved that post-election, the Conservative party are returned to government and are thus in a position to progress the good work that they began with the Adjournment Debate on the subject of Police Widows’ Pensions on February 25th 2015. There has been no hue and cry from the tax payer against the changes. We predicted that the government could, with comparative ease, justify a retrospective change to the 1987 rules for those whose spouses were killed on duty. Indeed there was cross party support for the changes as demonstrated by the signing of EDM 828 by 50 MPs. This having been done, we now look forward to the necessary legislation being laid down in order for the changes to be made. The changes have been made possible by a government that in Conservative MP Richard Graham’s words, ‘…..do have a good record of trying to right problems and issues inherited from the past….’ Labour MPs Congratulations are in order - but remember that your MP’s success in being elected will be overshadowed by the fact that as a party they have just lost a General Election. 30 Labour MPs signed EDM 828 - find out if your MP was amongst them: http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2014-15/828 This is a quote from the Labour manifesto: ‘Care is at the heart of Labour’s values. No-one should fear old age or be left to struggle alone caring for a loved one. But too many older people suffer insecurity, loneliness and exclusion.’ The 1987 police pension rules are condemning thousands of police survivors to a life of insecurity, loneliness and exclusion. Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon had been well briefed on our campaign; when she met with one of our representatives recently she was aware that we are seeking parity with RUC widows in N I and fully supported our cause, but said that any changes would have to go through the Scottish Parliament. Liberal Democrats The Liberal Democrats believe the way that older people are treated is the mark of a fair society. The 1987 police pension rules condemn thousands of elderly police survivors to a life of loneliness. 7 Liberal Democrats signed EDM 828. Democratic Unionist Party As long ago as 2003 the DUP supported changes to the RUC Pension Regulations 1988 and said in their manifesto of that year that they would be, ‘intensifying the campaign for the forgotten ex-RUC widows to ensure they are treated equally.’ Having witnessed justice for the RUC widows in 2014 - 4 members of the party signed EDM 828. Plaid Cymru In their manifesto Plaid Cymru said, ‘…we will work to tackle the growing problem of isolation and loneliness among older people in Cymru…’ The 1987 police pension rules are condemning thousands of police survivors to a life of insecurity, loneliness and exclusion. 2 members of Plaid Cymru signed EDM 828. Green Party - Caroline Lucas MP The Greens recognise that: ‘Since 2010, recent progress in advancing women’s equality has been undermined and reversed… that women are now: • poorer – nearly three-quarters of the government’s ‘savings’ have been paid for by women, earning less – the value of low pay in particular is declining • over-burdened – as support services have been slashed, women are left carrying the load • more at risk of gendered violence – because funding for services that support survivors of sexual and domestic violence has been reduced' If all police widows were granted lifelong pensions - then those police widows that currently find themselves in any or all of the above categories, could retain some level of financial security and independence. UKIP MP - Douglas Carswell UKIP would grant all war widows and widowers a lifelong pension. They believe that it is unfair that the changes to the war widows pensions are not retrospective – hopefully they will acknowledge that it is unfair that the proposed changes to police widows pensions do not extend to ALL police widows and that they too are not retrospective. At the time of writing Theresa May remains the Home Secretary, and there is currently no reason to believe that Mike Penning will not return to the Home Office as Policing Minister. However, if he is replaced as a result of a government re-shuffle please write to his successor. If you write to Mr Penning at his constituency office they will forward your correspondence to the Home Office: mike@penning4hemel.com Don’t forget to mark all letters/emails as Private and Confidential. As always my contact email is: CathrynHall@outlook.com for copies of this update and for your communications sent and received. Title your emails to me 'Round Three'. To those supporters that will not benefit personally from the success of our campaign, bless you – your contribution means so much. Cathryn