Let me get this absolutely straight: you would honestly expect him to honour the verbal promise he made to you?

Entitlements such as the provision of free electricity have vanished, and since they were usually made by verbal promise alone, no documentation exists by which to defend the rights.

They could no longer rely on verbal promises.

To that you have to add a very large number let down by written and verbal promises from the government that their employer-run pensions were guaranteed and secure.

These include checking the provider's credentials, not accepting verbal promises and insisting that vital details, such as how they value the property, are explained.