The Manx Labour Party is urging the Chief Minister to reconsider the decision not to appoint a champion for older people.

Howard Quayle, in a written reply to a House of Keys question, last week ruled out the idea of setting up a champion for older people equivalent to that set up for children.

’Council of Ministers considers that the current representation for older people is sufficient,’ he said.

Mr Quayle argued that the elderly are already represented politically by the member for social care and they have a strong voice through the third and voluntary sectors.

But in a letter to the Chief Minister, Manx Labour Party chairman David Cretney MLC said he was ’disappointed, to say the least’ by the decision.

He pointed out that he had offered some months ago to be appointed as older people’s champion.

Mr Cretney wrote: ’I would ask you please to encourage Council of Ministers to reconsider.

’I do believe government would gain a great deal of respect if they do reconsider under your leadership and I urge you to do so as a priority.’

Mr Cretney said he would move a resolution in Tynwald if CoMin didn’t have a change of heart.

He pointed out that by no means all elderly people are enjoying a well-deserved retirement - and many face increased costs but on fixed incomes.

Mr Cretney explained: ’For many older people a higher proportion of their income is spent on household fuel costs than other families. They are hopefully going to remain longer, with appropriate support, in their own houses.

’We have a proposal that people in this category are going to be placed in the worst position in the British Isles as far as prescription charges are concerned.

’We had the BBC TV licences debacle, still not completely resolved.

’We must never forget that many of these residents enabled us to enjoy the democracy we do today so it is in my opinion simply wrong that they do not have a champion.’