WOMEN pension campaigners from Ceredigion joined other protestors from all over Wales to converge on the Senedd in Cardiff Bay as the National Assembly debated whether to support their campaign for pension justice.

Some 200,000 women in Wales born in the 1950s have lost up to six years of their State Pension due to government legislation, of which they were given very little or no notice.

To the delight of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaigners, the resolution of support proposed by Helen Mary Jones, Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, was carried by 41 votes to eight.

This was the first time that Ceredigion WASPI campaigner Wendy Clarke had visited the Senedd.

“It was brilliant that the AMs came out to meet and greet us,” said Wendy. “The anticipation waiting for the result to be announced and the relief of it going through with such a majority made me feel overwhelmingly emotional.”

“It was such a contrast to our visit to Westminster on Budget Day,” said fellow campaigner Melinda Williams. “At the Senedd we felt very much supported and our voices were definitely heard.”

“It was great to see democracy in action,” added Ceredigion WASPI co-ordinator Pamela Judge. “For so long our pensions dilemma has been ignored by the government. It’s wonderful that the National Assembly is right behind us.”

WASPI campaigners are looking forward to a Judicial Review in the High Court on June 5-6 when the legality of the change to their pension age will be challenged.

For more information about Ceredigion WASPI email waspiceredigion@gmail.com or visit WASPI Ceredigion Supporters Facebook page.