I WROTE three years ago that this millionaire, Tory-led Government underestimates the strength of the pensioner vote, and I repeat that warning now.

The Conservatives have hit the disabled. They have closed the Remploy factories, throwing thousands into solitary confinement and taking away their dignity, they cut benefits through hidden means testing. Now there’s nothing left, they are starting on the pensioners.

Pensioners were raised when there were no iPads, computers, iPhones, Sky TVs. They were brought up that they must vote, because people died to get you the vote. Politics was taken more seriously, and people voted no matter what.

But it’s not only their own vote that pensioners cast.

They influence others, their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren.

There is still a lot of family loyalty: you hurt mine and I will hurt you.

D Dunbar, Sherburn Village, Durham