The Rise of the New OAP - the 'Older, Active Protester'

    BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND, July 21, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The UK's over 50s have long said goodbye to stereotypical age-associations of pipes and slippers and traded them for placards and petitions. New research shows that a huge number of over 50s are at their most politically active, and feel more passionate about protesting and standing up for what they believe in since they turned 50 years old.

The research, commissioned by insurance provider RIAS, suggests that over a third (36%) of over 50s, equivalent to 7.8 million people, are following in the footsteps of older celebrity campaigners like Joanna Lumley, and consider themselves more politically active now than when they were passionate youngsters burning bras in the 1960s and 1970s, and when banning the bomb was the issue of the day.

More passionate than the youth of today

Almost half (47%) of today's over 50s think that they are even more passionate about campaigning than younger generations today. Forget the age old phrase of 'Old Age Pensioner', the rise of the 'Older, Active Protestor' is upon us and they are making their voices heard.

Changing with the times - the big issues for Older, Active Protestors

While they're more forthright than ever when it comes to standing up for what they believe in, the main issues that 'Older, Active Protestors' feel passionately about have changed with the times. They've put aside workers' rights and equal rights for women and it's now green issues that dominate their agenda. Third world poverty has also risen into the top five issues they care most about, yet community issues are equally important to them now as in their younger years.

The Older, Active Protestors' Agenda today, versus 1960s and 1970s:

The old agenda (1960s and 1970s)

1. Equal rights for women (28%)
2. Local community issues (26%)
3. The environment (25%)
4. Workers' rights (23%)
5. Human rights (22%)

The Older, Active Protestor agenda today

1. The environment (43%)
2. Local community issues (38%)
3. Human rights (30%)
4. Third world poverty (27%)
5. Animal rights (24%)
5. Equal rights for women (24%)

Turning words into action

And they're not just talking the talk either - the Older, Active Protestors are mobilising themselves and doing something about these issues. Overall, 7.8m over (36%) have actively campaigned since they turned 50 years old, and 10.4 million (48%) have actively participated in campaigning and protesting.

Today's over 50s are particularly passionate about green and community issues. One fifth (20%) has actively campaigned against the closure of a service or shop in their local community, and one in six (16%) have protested against the development of greenbelt land, showing their sense of responsibility to their local area.

However, while the times may have changed, the methods in which the Older, Active Protestors show their fervour have remained very peaceful and traditional. A third (31%) has been involved with a petition, either online or paper-based, and one quarter (26%) has written to their local MP asking for change. A small amount (6%) are already using Facebook as a way to mobilise support for a campaign, highlighting the potential that social networks and online communities could have in getting behind a cause.

Scottish and Welsh leading the way

The Scottish and Welsh over 50s are the most avid campaigners for their causes with half of over 50s (49%) in Scotland saying that they are more politically active than ever along with four out of ten (45%) Welsh over 50s, compared with a national average of 36%. The Scots are the most passionate about the environment, with over half (55%) saying this is the issue they are most concerned about, versus the UK's average of 43%. The Welsh are the most likely of anyone in the UK to have campaigned against the closure of a local shop or service in their community, one third (31%) have fought against this, compared with the national average of one fifth (20%).

Janet Connor, Managing Director at RIAS commented:

"The misconception that over 50s are not active social and financial contributors to society couldn't be further from the truth. Not only are this generation the linchpin of their local communities, campaigning for issues they care about and believe in, they are using their knowledge, life experience and outlook to actively make a difference and promote peaceful change.

"And with the social networking opportunities which are open to them as part of their campaign tools, like Facebook and Twitter, they really have got a great opportunity to mobilise support for their local communities with their help of online and social communities. Long live the Older, Active Protestor."

RIAS was established in 1992 and is a specialist award-winning provider of insurance products for the over 50s age group.

Part of Fortis (Insurance UK) Limited, RIAS has nearly a million motor, home and travel insurance customers and employs over 1,100 people across two UK sites. RIAS negotiates with a panel of insurers to secure competitive, value for money products.

As a leading provider of award-winning personal and commercial lines insurance solutions in the UK, Fortis has a successful customer-centric strategy, founded on aligning its activities to how customers want to buy insurance, combined with delivering high quality products, manufactured at costs better than market norms.

Insuring in the region of 7 million customers and working with a range of partners, Fortis is recognised for delivering consistent and high-quality customer experiences. In 2009, its non-life profit before tax and interest was GBP29 million and its non-life GWP was GBP805 million.

To find out more about RIAS, as well as the full range of products and services, consumers can visit www.betterwithage.co.uk

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