It is estimated that around 40 per cent of votes cast in next week's General Election will be from the UK's population of 14 million over-60s. Reporter George Oliver met a pensioners' group to hear their thoughts on local and national issues

THERE'S a signed picture of Sir Michael Caine in the foyer of the Newstead Day Services building.

But the veteran actor – who recently backed Tory leader David Cameron – would have some difficulty persuading fellow pensioners at Newstead Over-50s Club to vote Conservative.

Group members are generally pretty sure of where their votes will be going. And it won't be to the Tories – although Sir Michael would still be assured of a warm welcome were he to turn up for bingo.

Doris Luck, chairman of the group she founded 22 years ago, was busy collecting 50p subs as members arrived this week.

The 82-year-old said: "I think Labour have been very good for the elderly, but there is still a lot more to be done.

"They've given us the winter fuel allowance, free TV licences for the over-75s and I think they have put the elderly first."

Of course, many of those at the session describe themselves as working class and have voted Labour all their lives anyway.

But they have still been disappointed at a perceived lack of opposing candidates who have ventured on to the estate to engage with the electorate and explain their policies.

"We don't know enough about them," said Mrs Luck as she dealt with a steady queue of pensioners waiting to collect their cards. "They used to come around the houses and you knew what you were voting for, but not any more. They should knock on the door and introduce themselves."

One lady waiting in line had been impressed with the television appearances of Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, but seemed disillusioned with politicians in general.

"I think he has put it over well but it's all about what they do, not what they say," she said.

Mrs Luck glanced up from her ledger at that. "And we don't like how they've been helping themselves to our money," she observed. "They think they're entitled to this money and won't pay it back."

Expenses aside, those present hoped their MP would campaign to bring the kind of skilled manufacturing jobs to Stoke-on-Trent that they themselves had spent a lifetime doing. But they held out little hope.

Retired Wedgwood worker Emily Reed won a packet of biscuits after calling house in the final round of prize bingo.

And the 86-year-old from Newstead's experiences reflected a wider sense that the replacement of pits and potteries with warehouses and call centres had not benefited the city.

"When Waterford went in with Wedgwood, we said that was it and it would never come back. We all said that was it," she added sadly.

"The Midlands and the North don't really exist in the eyes of London.

"It was different when Jack Ashley was MP. He was so good because he was there for the working class people.

"These days they keep saying what they are doing but they never do it."

Retired coach builder Ben Bufton was setting up the bingo machine and preparing for his stint as caller.

The 83-year-old from Newstead worked from leaving school at 14 to retirement at 66, agreeing that the city had suffered with the decline of manufacturing jobs.

But he added: "In them days, you went out and got a job. These days some don't want a job because they just want all they can get off the social. I think that is all wrong and, if they won't do the jobs, I think they should stop the allowances."

Mr Bufton thinks lives of British soldiers should no longer be wasted fighting an 'unwinnable' war in Afghanistan – "The Russians had a go and had to withdraw. I can't see us winning it either" – but has another concern that could not be closer to home.

"I disagree with them changing the name of Hanley," he said. "Everyone knows where it is and I can't see people getting lost if it is changed to city centre. It should stay as it is."

Also concerned with a local issue was Mrs Luck's daughter Margaret Reed, who was helping her mother.

The 59-year-old was recently made redundant from her job as a packer and agrees the city needs a core of new manufacturing jobs.

But she said: "I come from Trentham and I will be voting Independent because of the Trentham High School campaign.

"My three children have grown up, but they went there, and my 11-year-old grandson will be going there. I am glad they kept it open."

As well as Newstead and Trentham, the Stoke-on-Trent South constituency also includes the Longton, Fenton, Blurton and Meir areas.

Longton Fellowship of Christian Churches will host a hustings for Stoke-on-Trent South parliamentary candidates at Longton Methodist Central Hall from 7.30pm tonight. Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and UKIP candidates are expected, as is independent Terry Follows. Questions will be taken from the floor and all are welcome.