National Delegate Conference 15-18 June 2010

Young and old come together to combat elder abuse

Graham Smith

UNISON will build alliances to campaign to make elder abuse an aggravated offence across the UK.

Supporting, Graham Smith, Scottish young member told delegates that he had not come up to tell them about horrific stories of elder abuse; or about how none of us want to see our grandparents, older relatives or friends or any elderly person suffering such abuse; or about wanting to ensure that when his generation comes to be cared for in their later years, they do not suffer abuse.

"Ofcourse, these are important points," said Graham, "and other speakers I'm sure will make them.

"But I've come to pay tribute to our elderly and to talk about the debt we owe them and why that debt has to be honoured."

He paid particular tribute to Scottish retired member Lily McNaughton, who has done so much to support young people's issues Graham told Lily and the conference that the National Young Members' Forum will be considering awarding her honorary membership of the young members section and thanked her for her support and the support of the retired members section.

Graham said, "It is because of Lily and her peers that I am able to be up here today. It is because of Lily and her peers that we have a health service. It is because of Lily and her peers that we have our public services. It is because of Lily and her peers that we have the great trade union that I am so proud of today.

"So this speech is for Lily and her peers. These are the people we owe far more than we can ever repay. These are the people we have a duty to ensure have the right to dignity and are defended against abuse. And these people are a real generation of working class heroes who deserve our admiration and our protection."

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