Campaigning pensioners have branded a Bolton Council meeting “chaotic, immature and disrespectful” after failing to fully debate measures to support older people. This comes after the Bolton and District Pensioners Association lobbied the most recent full meeting of Bolton Council to oppose the government’s cuts to the winter fuel allowance. In an open letter, Association secretary Bernie Gallagher says many of the members watched the meeting and were not impressed by what they saw.
Mrs Gallagher said: “There are several adjectives which could be used to describe the meeting including chaotic, immature and archaic. “But most of all it was disrespectful to the people of Bolton who expect their elected representatives to behave with dignity and debate the issues of immediate concern. The Bolton and District Pensioners Association have sent out an open letter (Image: Newsquest) “Banging on tables, ridiculing and humiliating each other was quite unpleasant to watch.
“The behaviour on all sides was not restricted to male members but also women who it is often argued are meant to bring a softer kind of politics . “Some councillors were on their phones, some talking. This resulted in their full attention not being on the meeting.
“We understand to some extent the council chamber is a theatre and robust political debate is acceptable. “It is also fair to point out there were councillors whose behaviour was exemplary.” The pensioners had been interested in two mo.
