Harriet Harman: what would you ask her?

[onebatmother]

I'm meeting Harriet Harman tomorrow - what would you ask her if you were me?

Not meeting in an MN capacity - but I'm very interested to know what you'd like to ask HH: as a minister (so general q's), and specifically as Minister for Women (and don't forget, Equality) - and of course, the GE campaign.

Any thoughts?

[FabIsGoingToGetFit]

When she could, if she didn't mind awfully, leave public life?

[onebatmother]

Care to expand Fab

[inveteratenamechanger]

I really liked the interview with her in the Guardian on Saturday. Props to her for giving the kids her name. I am not a huge Labour fan, but I really respect what she's done, and the way she sticks to her guns on all the gender issues.

I would ask her why Labour dropped the idea of allowing mothers and fathers to split the year's maternity leave. To me, this is one of the biggest things you could do towards gender equality.

[onebatmother]

I thought that was policy ivc? after the first 6 months bcs of encouraging breast-feeding?

What does everyone think about the 4 weeks paid leave for new fathers? Brill, or too low-paid for a big take-up?

[inveteratenamechanger]

As far as I know, it never got passed, and hasn't made it into the manifesto. Hence the "Fathers' Month" - which I think is ok, but should be full pay.

[onebatmother]

yy. Thanks inc.

Any more for any more?

All and any election issues are fair game...

[onebatmother]

At this rate I will be reduced to rolling out my set of amusing political impressions to fill out the time.

I do an excellent Nick Clegg.

[onebatmother]

Oh sorry Lenin I missed yours.

Yes - modern technology, and why they're not using it, that's a jolly good question.

I'll cat you re that other business - or better still will post in code on this thread. If you read the first letter of every word in sequence, but backwords, and in Cantonese - you will have your answer. (Sorry ds very much into code at the mo)

[onebatmother]

Can't ask that last one - it's only 2 hours.

[policywonk]

Oooh, why are you meeting Harman?

I generally love her, but to be awkward I'd ask her how she felt when she had to sell the women of Northern Ireland down the river re. abortion rights see here

If you wanted to be less aggressive about it - what's it like to have to work against some of your (presumably) longest-held principles in the name of expediency?

[policywonk]

Also maybe ask her about Object, lads mags etc? Does she think there should be legislation about an eye-level ban on lads mags, Sunday Sport?

[policywonk]

What does she think of Trevor Philips as Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission... that's another awkward squad one though.

[PollyTechnique]

Does she have ambitions to be PM ?

[onebatmother]

yes am in mood for awkwardness to be frank.

It's through my ppc that I'm meeting her. A coffee morning. They don't really move with the times, these politics people, do they. Couldn't it have been paintballing?

[onebatmother]

It will be instant. I don't believe they bother slapping catering packs - the kind that taste of bovril - with FT labels.

[onebatmother]

PW yes I though of Trevor Phillips - but couldn't think of a question that wouldn't just get a stonewalling response. And don't have time to research better - any ideas?

[onebatmother]

LOL Leningrad - I will tweetpic. Let's hope she accidentally chooses a Garibaldi - it's high time Marx-contemporaneous biscuit choices were re-examined by the tabloids.