IT all began so well.

Despite the fact he was several minutes late the PM was cheered onto the stage at the Age UK General Election rally in London's QEII conference centre.

It was part of David Cameron's continued mission of shamelessly pitching for the grey vote.

As the snow-capped audience waited for Elvis to arrive, there was a little film about what Britain's senior citizens really wanted. Help carers. Fund the NHS. Keep the free bus pass.

The latter got the biggest cheer and the loudest round of applause. Now we know why DC is so intent on keeping his hands off pensioner benefits; to cut them would be the quickest way to lose votes on May 7.

So Dave went through the political routine, ticked all the boxes on: the pension triple lock; increasing funding for the NHS, in England, that is; tackling dementia; maintaining the winter fuel allowance and free TV licences as well as, yes, those cherished free bus passes.

He banged on about values - work hard, save hard - the contract with the British people - put in, get out - and tapped a few more emotional nerves by mentioning the grey vote's children and grandchildren.

After his election spiel, a few hands went up for questions and they began gently enough. But then we got onto healthcare and the PM's assertion that Tories had dipped into the public purse to maintain spending drew shouts of "rubbish!" and "lies!". The old-timers were beginning to give the young premier a hard time.

When Mr C said he did not blame NHS staff for moving into better paid jobs in agencies, the rumblings of discontent got louder. "They need money! Rubbish!".

"I am answering the question," implored the PM, whose brow began to shine with perspiration.

When one questioner said seniors had to pay for prescriptions and could not get a job to pay for future health care, there was applause. The PM insisted the current exemptions would continue, saying the NHS was free at the point of use. But heads were shaking.

A 91-year-old was cheered when he called for a Cabinet Minister for older people to co-ordinate care, so seniors received the same recognition as children. It was a lecture with an admonished PM at the end of it.

Mr C then said if people did not like public services they should not blame other ministers but they should blame him. To which came the reply: "We do!" followed by ripples of laughter.

After the Tory chief banged on more about guaranteeing benefits, his parting shot was how it had all been "great fun". But the speed with which Mr C zipped past the pensioners to the exit suggested he was glad to leave the older generation behind.