LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister David Cameron promised Britain's pensioners on Monday that they could keep a range of welfare perks if he is re-elected on May 7, seeking to shore up support from one of the groups most likely to use their votes.
In a speech in southern England, Cameron, whose Conservatives are level in many polls with the opposition Labour Party, pledged to protect free bus passes, winter fuel payments, free TV licences and medicine-related subsidies for the old even if they're wealthy enough not to need the help.
"I know some people don't like this. There are those who say it's an unnecessary luxury during a time of national financial difficulties. They're wrong," Cameron said.
"No one has put in as much as our elderly. Now it's our turn, our fundamental duty, to care for them."
Cameron's latest move to court pensioners, who surveys show are much more likely to vote than younger people, is an attempt to outflank rivals less than three months before the election by making the most generous policy offering.
Labour has pledged to stop paying the winter fuel allowance to the richest 5 percent of pensioners if elected, while the Liberal Democrats, the junior partner in Cameron's coalition, has signalled it wants to end the same perk and axe free TV licences for wealthy pensioners.
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