THANKS for your reply to my criticisms of your original letter to the Guardian, with its anti-Labour content (name and address supplied: 'Increase is such an insulting offer', Letters, April 24). I assure you that the blood pressure of Gus Krayer was not affected. It remains as normal as usual.

Your right to anonymity we share, yet I must point out that for almost 20 years, my name, on behalf of my association, has been freely published without fear of retribution.

While continuing your diatribe against the elected Government and our chosen MPs, who, by the way, give our campaigns unstinted support, we are happy to note some small concession on your part, regarding benefits recently received by the elderly. Are you feeling a small sense of guilt?

There's not a murmur from you regarding the abject treatment of elderly folk, suffered during 19 years of Conservative rule. Nor am I ashamed of the fight that was put up against the stupid 25p for the over-80s, or the catastrophic increase of 75p a week given a while ago.

You might note, or perhaps you know, that we are political but not party-affiliated. So hurrah for the withdrawal of the pension clawback from those hospitalised.

To use your words, we are getting back to the real world in recognition of the advances recently gained.We ask you to balance any future adverse criticism with praise where deserved.

Just note that we are proud of the ongoing support we are offered by our Redbridge MPs.

GUS KRAYER, Organiser of Redbridge Pensioners Action Association, Ashurst Drive, Ilford.

April 30, 2003 10:00