Skip to main content
Deadly generation game
Routine ridiculing, degradation and blaming of old people in the cultural mainstream has allowed the government to treat us as collateral damage – but sadly this mean-spirited ageism has infected parts of the left too, writes JULIA BARD

ONE of the greatest strengths of the Labour Party is the age range of its activists. 

In my constituency the friendships we’ve forged through canvassing, campaigning and protesting in the streets have breached the boundaries imposed by a prevailing view that we should be stratified and defined by age. 

At the same time, the right-wing press continues its long tradition of ridiculing, patronising and stereotyping old people, an approach which fits nicely with marketing strategies that slice society into “generations.” 

Donate to the Fighting Fund
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
LANGUAGE BARRIER: Princess Margaret meeting pop group The Be
International Women's Day 2025 / 8 March 2025
8 March 2025
Decades after Dale Spender’s groundbreaking work on how language embeds male dominance, the struggle to reshape words that accurately reflect women’s experiences remains both vital and unfinished, writes JULIA BARD
Tommy Robinson (centre), whose real name is Stephen Yaxley L
Features / 24 August 2024
24 August 2024
It’s myopic to suggest that fascist ideology has been ‘imported’ into Britain and could not possibly be home-grown, argues JULIA BARD
Jewish protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza
Features / 13 December 2023
13 December 2023
Pro-Palestine Jews don’t need ‘keeping safe’ on our own demos, writes JULIA BARD, following yet another heavy-handed attempt to link religion and ethnicity to political positions by the police
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2022 / 8 March 2022
8 March 2022
Think knitting is sedate and harmless? JULIA BARD begs to differ – knitting has a long history of radicalism and rebellion
Similar stories
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote
Features / 26 March 2025
26 March 2025
Public and Commercial Services union leader FRAN HEATHCOTE warns the Chancellor not to take an axe to the Civil Service – and points to measures that would genuinely improve the public sector
International Women's Day 2025 / 8 March 2025
8 March 2025
Persistent inequality for women shows we still have a long way to go, but Wales TUC leader SHAVANAH TAJ is confident we can build a fairer country when we work together
GMB general secretary Gary Smith
Interview: / 13 June 2024
13 June 2024
As GMB conference meets in Bournemouth, its general secretary GARY SMITH speaks to the Morning Star