Dame Esther Rantzen has urged pensioners to punish the Tories for taking away free TV licences by not voting for them.
The former BBC presenter, 79, said: “The best way they can threaten the Government – the fault 100% lies with the Government – is not to vote for them.
"The great thing about old people is that they do vote. That is their power.”
The Conservatives promised in their 2017 manifesto to maintain free TV licences for over-75s, before giving the BBC the responsibility to fund the benefit from June 2020.
The BBC says it can only make the concession available to households where someone receives Pension Credit – snatching it from 3.7 million older people.
The Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson led a protest at the BBC’s offices in Salford, Gtr Manchester, and has called for more “grey power” marches.
But Dame Esther, who set up The Silver Line for isolated older people, urged them not to march in case they fall over.
She said at the first Smiley TALK – part of the Smiley Movement which brings charities and people together – in London: “The one piece of advice that I give over-55s is don’t fall over.
"The worst thing you can do is fall because it often has very serious repercussions.
“I’m not sure I would encourage people to take to the streets given the declining autumn weather .”
