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WEBCHAT GUIDELINES: 1. One question per member plus one follow-up. 2. Keep your question brief. 3. Don't moan if your question doesn't get answered. 4. Do be civil/polite. 5. If one topic or question threatens to overwhelm the webchat, MNHQ will usually ask for people to stop repeating the same question or point.

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Webchat with Labour leadership candidate Owen Smith MP, Tuesday 23 August at 2pm

88 replies

BojanaMumsnet · 22/08/2016 10:48

Hello

We’re pleased to announce a webchat with Owen Smith MP on Tuesday 23 August at 2pm.

Owen has been the MP for Pontypridd, his hometown, since 2010, and has worked as a shadow minister for (at various times) Wales, health, the Treasury, and work and pensions. He spent three years at the Northern Ireland Office and most recently as Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary he led on campaigns that forced U-turns over cuts to support for disabled people and tax credit cuts. He is now standing against Jeremy Corbyn for leadership of the Labour party.

Before Parliament, Owen worked as a journalist at the BBC and as a special adviser to the Labour government, and then as head of policy at Pfizer and head of public affairs at biotech company Amgen. He is married with three teenaged children.

The deadline for voting in the Labour leadership election is 21 September, and the result will be announced on 24 September.

Please do join the chat on Tuesday at 2pm, or if you can’t make it, please leave a question here in advance. And do bear in mind the webchat guidelines - one question each only (follow-ups allowed if there’s time) and please do be polite.

Thanks
MNHQ

Webchat with Labour leadership candidate Owen Smith MP, Tuesday 23 August at 2pm
Tiggeryoubastard · 22/08/2016 13:39

Why are you a misogynist?

KeemaNaanAndCurryOn · 22/08/2016 13:47

Lets just hope it doesn't get overtaken with the folks supporting the "dear leader". Hmm

Owen, I'm voting for you. I won't be voting labour in the next GE if Corbyn is in charge as he can't run his party, let alone the country. It'll be a first, but I'd be voting labour despite him, not because of him and that's just not good enough.

All I can say is good luck. It seems like anyone who dares speak out against Corbyn needs it.

IWasBeingAffable · 22/08/2016 14:32

Hi Owen,
Whatever the outcome of the leadership, I want a strong and united Labour Party to take on the tories, and win over the electorate.

My question is how would you ensure this happens if a) you win b) Jeremy wins?

bbleefss · 22/08/2016 15:26

I'm undecided in the leadership vote. My heart goes with Corbyn, but my head goes with you. Reasure me, please, that you're not going to be a 'corporate' leader....

Girlwhowearsglasses · 22/08/2016 17:07

Hi Owen.

I have a vote in the leadership election.

I voted green at the GE. I'd like to vote Labour. I'm pretty disappointed with the lack of any discussion whatsoever about the environment by all parties, especially now the Department for the Environment is no more. How will you work to keep the big issue that will affect the world in the next few decades (and make war and unpredictable catastrophes part of our children's lives) in everyone's sights - and part of the thinking on policies from energy to immigration and farming?

Especially with the prospect of the leader of the free world being a climate change denier

FrameyMcFrame · 22/08/2016 17:43

Hi Owen, I've just voted for you in the leadership election.

This has been a horribly divisive time for labour, it seems you can't have a sensible conversation with a Corbyn supporter without being insulted or called a neo liberal or a Blairite HmmBiscuit

I'd like to ask how can we unite the party if you win?

OddBoots · 22/08/2016 18:14

If I had looked at your voting record without knowing you were Labour I would have guessed that you were a Conservative. What in your view tells you apart from a Conservative MP?

GloGirl · 22/08/2016 18:26

Tigger - how is he a misogynist?

GloGirl · 22/08/2016 18:28

I want to vote for Owen because I want Labour to be a decent opposition to our government if nothing else.

But what will qualify you to be a good Prime Minister? How will you encourage swing voters to get out there and think you have something better to offer?

LauraLoz13 · 22/08/2016 18:46

Oddboots- what part of his voting record are you referring to? I was pro Jeremy but wavering a bit. I've checked Owens whole voting record & he voted with the party on everything? (Including policies against the privatisation of the NHS & against austerity policies such a bedroom tax/cutting disability support) sorry just interested to know what areas made you reach your opinion.
Bbleefss I'm so with you on the heart & head feeling so will be eager to see a response to your question ☺️

LauraLoz13 · 22/08/2016 18:50

Worth noting both Owen & Jeremy have signed up to the promise of every single lead for women demand set out by the women's labour network. Which is a step in the right direction finally. Still a long way to go mind you!xx

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 22/08/2016 19:06

As some may find it useful a summary of Mr Smith's voting record can be found here:

www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24797/owen_smith/pontypridd/votes

My question:

Mr Smith, do you feel the whole issue about who is allowed to vote, and even stand, in the Leadership election has been handled as well as it could have been? Is there anything that could have been done differently?

VanillaSugar · 22/08/2016 19:57

What's your favourite biscuit?

slug · 22/08/2016 20:00

Hi Mr Smith. Do you think that the reason you were selected to run against Jeremey Corbyn is because of your gender? After all, there are far more qualified and charismatic women in the party but given that all the other UK parties have female leads, do you think you are there as a pander to the male vote?

Do you think your constant tone deaf comments about women, domestic violence and the apparent misogyny free status of the Labour Party pre CorbynnisCorbyn //hmm qualify you to represent over half the voting population?

DoctorTwo · 22/08/2016 20:37

Hello Mr Smith, thank you for visiting our Nest of Vipers. My question:-

If Mr Corbyn wins will you acknowledge that the membership has spoken (again) and rally behind him as your democratically elected leader? If your answer is no, will you stand aside to allow a supporter of Mr Corbyn to stand as your replacement as MP?

I will, of course, ask Mr Corbyn the same 2 part question if he joins us here. Thank you.

GloGirl · 22/08/2016 21:21

I like his We Work For You profile, thanks for the link

JellyBelli · 22/08/2016 21:21

Will your style of leadership be more like Blair or John Smith?

MooPointCowsOpinion · 22/08/2016 22:15

Regarding your remarks about 'bruises showing through the make up' and, more recently, about 'smashing Theresa May back on her heels', do you understand the huge part male violence against women affects our every day lives and how your comments are indicative of white male privilege?

I recommend you read the hashtag #yesallwomen on Twitter to get a sense of how your words and actions play into a broader picture of male violence.

stitchglitched · 22/08/2016 22:21

Do you really believe that the only reason a female party leader could possibly get airtime is because of her 'gender,' or do you now regret your disrespectful comments towards Leanne Wood?

I'm really not liking

stitchglitched · 22/08/2016 22:22

Posted too soon. I'm really not liking the casual misogyny that you seem to exude.

ColdAndGloomy · 22/08/2016 22:27

Hi Owen

Why have you not spoken out about the NECs decision to disenfranchise recent joiners to the labour party? Anyone who has joined recently has effectively been misold membership. Even if this benefits you, I would have thought anyone with any sense of decency can see how wrong this is.

This is one of the main reasons I will not be voting for you. I cannot see any hope with Corbyn as leader either and I will probably leave the party unless some dramatic changes happen soon.

QueenOfTheWhiteWalkers · 22/08/2016 22:33

I've already voted in the leadership election.

My question is, if Jeremy Corbyn wins (again) will the you and the rest of the party actually accept the result this time, and let Jeremy lead? Or are we destined to spend the next 4 years leading up to the general election having leadership election after leadership election, because you and a lot of other MPs refuse to accept what Labour members actually want?

Oh I voted for Jeremy (again!) btw. Hmm

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APlaceOnTheCouch · 22/08/2016 23:19

Can you tell us who financed and organised the Saving Labour group and website? I am bemused at the lack of transparency over this issue and find it concerning.

littledrummergirl · 22/08/2016 23:46

Given that we have a conservative government in charge of Bexit and rather than pulling behind the elected labour leader, setting out Labour's requirements on this regarding human rights, equality etc; Labour mps decided it was a good time to ignore important national interests and put their own petty wants first. How will you ensure that the working class people on minimum wage, part-time and zero hour contracts are protected after Brexit?

zen1 · 23/08/2016 05:36

In the light of your assertion that Lianne Wood only gets invited on to Question Time due to her gender?

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/owen-smith-told-leanne-wood-11613820

and your other comments re. "smashing Theresa May back on her heels" and the Liberals 'filing for divorce as soon as the bruises show through the make up", what would you say makes you appealing to women voters?

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