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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to wonder if a stay-at-home mum could become an MP?

580 replies

Questionsssss · 08/05/2026 08:33

Do you think a degree educated, middle class 30 year old SAHM without any notable work history would ever have a chance at becoming a local councillor or MP? I feel like most MPs have either a local council or highly skilled professional background (law, finance etc). I’ve googled and I can’t find a single MP who has a SAHM background.

OP posts:
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Butterme · 08/05/2026 09:32

Questionsssss · 08/05/2026 09:18

I haven’t always had a privileged life.

But you do now and you’re wanting change for parents and are hoping they’d be your main voters.

You can’t comprehend what it’s like for the majority of parents who don’t live a privileged lifestyle when you do.
Your past doesn’t matter as much if the change you want to make is to do with children.

It’s like that MP who said he could easily live off £50 a week benefits.

I’m not saying don’t do it but you wouldn’t align to many mothers experiences because how can you speak on their behalf when you live a completely different lifestyle to the vast majority of them.

Passaggressfedup · 08/05/2026 09:32

The things that I’d love to work on would be tax cuts for families with a stay at home parent as I believe there’s massive societal benefits to having a parent at home. I’d like to make it possible for more families to have this option rather than women feeling forced back to work as soon as their maternity leave ends
So it's about and your situation. I think you would really struggle to get anyone interested in your manifesto. You appear to be living a life of privilege and have little understanding of economics.

You seem to have no understanding of the social deprivation that comes from women who have been sahm for a while and become single mums.

The worse thing for a mother is to be financially dependent on her partner. Not everyone has a rich husband who would have to give more than half his fortune if he were to trade you for a new model.

Toucantt · 08/05/2026 09:31

LeekFirst · 08/05/2026 09:26

Angela Rayner had a lot of trade union experience before she was elected as an MP.

The other day I saw a clip of a 19 year old mp. I don’t think people actually care how much experience a local mp has, it only becomes relevant if you want to go into high government office

Questionsssss · 08/05/2026 09:29

TheFairyCaravan · 08/05/2026 09:25

Why do you think PIP is “given out too freely atm?” and why do you think disabled people should pay for the tax breaks for SAHMs? When I did my last PIP review I has to send in almost 500 pieces of supporting medical evidence. It’s not just a case of ringing them up, filling in a form and getting an award. It’s really hard.

What would be refreshing would be if we had some MPs, or wannabe MPs, who thought of policies without thinking “the disabled could pay for that” for a bloody change.

I have family members who literally pretended to have anxiety and ADHD and receive PIP for this. Lots of their friends have also done the same. I know it wasn’t quite that simple (they had to fill out forms), but they admit that it is completely made up. Their partner also claims carers allowance.

OP posts:
Bjorkdidit · 08/05/2026 09:28

Questionsssss · 08/05/2026 09:25

No, I think it should be available to all families - not just where there is a high earner. Hence tax cuts for families with a SAHM parent.

But how will families pay their bills if they have one low to middle earner, eg £25k to £35/40k pa and one SAHP? Rent/mortgage, food, travel, utilities etc etc.

Even if they paid no tax it would be a struggle, and you're cutting welfare, so they'd not be entitled to UC. So the only alternative is to work more or starve.

Iocanepowder · 08/05/2026 09:28

Questionsssss · 08/05/2026 09:24

I think the benefit on society would be huge. Less children and adults with mental health issues, less stress in the household, stronger family values, children raised on a better diet due to more time available etc.

Bollocks. These issues aren’t caused by parents simply going to work.

LeekFirst · 08/05/2026 09:26

Toucantt · 08/05/2026 09:20

I give you Angela Rayner! She was a sahm at 16 she says she became a care worker straight after but I don’t believe it was as soon as she says. I was also a mum at 16 and am younger than her. Even then there just isn’t the childcare for it to be possible unless you’re someone who gets their parents to raise your child for you (her mum is bipolar so can’t be possible)
Id say she was probably a sahm for at least 4 years (when Ryan starts school)

Angela Rayner had a lot of trade union experience before she was elected as an MP.

JSMill · 08/05/2026 09:26

The only people I personally know who were selected by their parties to run for parliament had been activists since university and had worked as advisers. You need to get involved with your local party and you need to get involved in grassroots activities.

Questionsssss · 08/05/2026 09:25

Bjorkdidit · 08/05/2026 09:24

Ah, so you only want to encourage SAHPs in families where there is a high earner?

For low to middle earning families you want to starve them into working longer hours, so they won't be able to contribute towards the 'massive societal benefit' of being a SAHP?

You also want to cut the state pension, which takes up nearly half the welfare bill?

What about the people with severe disabilities who are cared for by a relative? They don't matter do they? Leave them to rot and send their carers out to work.

You've got my vote.

No, I think it should be available to all families - not just where there is a high earner. Hence tax cuts for families with a SAHM parent.

OP posts:
MintTwirl · 08/05/2026 09:25

I would consider voting for a sahm but I would expect them to be very active in the local community, lots of voluntary work, supporting causes etc.
I wouldn’t vote for you if you were standing for reform but that’s not because of you being a sahm.

TheFairyCaravan · 08/05/2026 09:25

Questionsssss · 08/05/2026 09:16

I’d want to reduce the overall welfare spend - things like PIP, carers allowance are given out too freely at the moment. I’d also want to re-instate the child benefit cap for families where neither parent works. I’d also like to make it more difficult to gain citizenship/ILR so there would be less eligible for welfare.

Why do you think PIP is “given out too freely atm?” and why do you think disabled people should pay for the tax breaks for SAHMs? When I did my last PIP review I has to send in almost 500 pieces of supporting medical evidence. It’s not just a case of ringing them up, filling in a form and getting an award. It’s really hard.

What would be refreshing would be if we had some MPs, or wannabe MPs, who thought of policies without thinking “the disabled could pay for that” for a bloody change.

Toucantt · 08/05/2026 09:25

Toucantt · 08/05/2026 09:20

I give you Angela Rayner! She was a sahm at 16 she says she became a care worker straight after but I don’t believe it was as soon as she says. I was also a mum at 16 and am younger than her. Even then there just isn’t the childcare for it to be possible unless you’re someone who gets their parents to raise your child for you (her mum is bipolar so can’t be possible)
Id say she was probably a sahm for at least 4 years (when Ryan starts school)

Oh and I’ve also seen a lot of videos of MPs who are only 19/20/21 lately so can’t be much life experience/extensive career going on there. Go for it if you want

Cooshawn · 08/05/2026 09:25

Questionsssss · 08/05/2026 09:16

I’d want to reduce the overall welfare spend - things like PIP, carers allowance are given out too freely at the moment. I’d also want to re-instate the child benefit cap for families where neither parent works. I’d also like to make it more difficult to gain citizenship/ILR so there would be less eligible for welfare.

No I wouldn't vote for you. I'm quite bemused that anyone could claim carers allowance is given too freely. The princely sum of £86.45/wk for providing around the clock care which often renders you unable to work is not too generous in my world.

That you've been a stay at home mum would also be a huge turn off. What have you actually done with your time since your children went to school? Have you volunteered in your community, campaigned for improvements, been involved with the organisation of groups etc? Or do you just have frilly ideas with zero substance?

Bjorkdidit · 08/05/2026 09:24

Questionsssss · 08/05/2026 09:16

I’d want to reduce the overall welfare spend - things like PIP, carers allowance are given out too freely at the moment. I’d also want to re-instate the child benefit cap for families where neither parent works. I’d also like to make it more difficult to gain citizenship/ILR so there would be less eligible for welfare.

Ah, so you only want to encourage SAHPs in families where there is a high earner?

For low to middle earning families you want to starve them into working longer hours, so they won't be able to contribute towards the 'massive societal benefit' of being a SAHP?

You also want to cut the state pension, which takes up nearly half the welfare bill?

What about the people with severe disabilities who are cared for by a relative? They don't matter do they? Leave them to rot and send their carers out to work.

You've got my vote.

User33538216 · 08/05/2026 09:24

FinchiePink · 08/05/2026 08:45

There is absolutely no reason why you couldn't if it's something you're interested in.

I would say it might be wise to start on a more local platform - parish councils, local councils, county councils - before moving up to MP. It will give you good experience but also ease you into it. If you went straight from nothing to MP I think it would be too big of a change. Contrary to popular belief, most MPs work bloody hard and it's not a 9-5 job either.

Edited

This. It’s not the sort of job I’d want to do with young children. I can barely cope as it is 😂

Questionsssss · 08/05/2026 09:24

Iocanepowder · 08/05/2026 09:21

Yeah i think realistically before you managed all those other welfare cuts just to give pay mums not to work, you’d be ousted from your seat.

I think the benefit on society would be huge. Less children and adults with mental health issues, less stress in the household, stronger family values, children raised on a better diet due to more time available etc.

OP posts:
Isittimeformynapyet · 08/05/2026 09:22

Questionsssss · 08/05/2026 09:07

Yes, probably reform.

With no experience I think you'd be perfect for Reform.

There's a huge community of very politically aware people around here (I'm on a 3000+ local WhatsApp group) and they are all very connected, galvanized and active. Some of them already have a public profile because they've been involved in community initiatives for years.

Those are the people who stand a chance in local politics. Are you one of them?

What have you been doing locally to build your community and connect with a LOT of people?

TheignT · 08/05/2026 09:22

Mischance · 08/05/2026 09:19

Jess Phillips has not had a privileged lifestyle. She is a highly successful MP and her book argues that any woman could do this.

It looked pretty privileged to me.

Iocanepowder · 08/05/2026 09:21

Questionsssss · 08/05/2026 09:16

I’d want to reduce the overall welfare spend - things like PIP, carers allowance are given out too freely at the moment. I’d also want to re-instate the child benefit cap for families where neither parent works. I’d also like to make it more difficult to gain citizenship/ILR so there would be less eligible for welfare.

Yeah i think realistically before you managed all those other welfare cuts just to give pay mums not to work, you’d be ousted from your seat.

Toucantt · 08/05/2026 09:20

I give you Angela Rayner! She was a sahm at 16 she says she became a care worker straight after but I don’t believe it was as soon as she says. I was also a mum at 16 and am younger than her. Even then there just isn’t the childcare for it to be possible unless you’re someone who gets their parents to raise your child for you (her mum is bipolar so can’t be possible)
Id say she was probably a sahm for at least 4 years (when Ryan starts school)

TheignT · 08/05/2026 09:20

Questionsssss · 08/05/2026 08:42

Yes. But I don’t feel like I’d appeal to voters. Where I live, everybody involved in local councils is probably close to retirement age or past it and the local mp candidates are all men aged 45+.
Ultimately I have no real career experience and I’m also not an Angela Rayner / Jess Phillips ‘struggled through being a single mum at a young age’ type either.

Jess Philips wasnt a struggling young single mum was she? I thought she was mid 20s graduate when she became a mother and is still with their father.. she has a very different backstory to Angela Rayner. Comfortably off professional parents, educated at a very highly rated girls grammar school and then university.

I was a neighbour when she was little.

SlumChum · 08/05/2026 09:20

There is absolutely no reason why not! But you do need to build a bit of experience in public service such as serving the community (volunteering) and also get a bit of political savvy, which you could do by joining a party and learning about campaigning (even if you don't stand for that party later).

things to consider:
Getting elected as an independent is very hard, most independent MPs built a reputation inside a party and then left
There is huge hierarchy inside parties. You would need to be a loyal members for a while, support others in local elections and demonstrate your value (lead a local campaign successfully, get elected to parish, town or other local council) before they would consider standing you as an MP candidate

Mischance · 08/05/2026 09:19

Jess Phillips has not had a privileged lifestyle. She is a highly successful MP and her book argues that any woman could do this.

tiramisugelato · 08/05/2026 09:19

Clonakilla · 08/05/2026 09:18

Your posts are illogical and lacking in evidence of either intelligence or empathy.

I’d suggest election success is guaranteed!

🤣

Clonakilla · 08/05/2026 09:18

Your posts are illogical and lacking in evidence of either intelligence or empathy.

I’d suggest election success is guaranteed!

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