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MNHQ

MNHQ calling: we want to know what would be on your policy wishlist

206 replies

RowanMumsnet · 20/05/2014 09:47

Over the years, when MNers have got stuck into issues they particularly care about, we've often seen agreement (or something approaching agreement Grin) around particular policy ideas.

As the May 2015 general election approaches (ish), we’d like to find out what you think about what the next government should do - parenting-related or otherwise. Which commitments would you like to see in the parties’ manifestos? What would make you consider switching your vote (or voting at all, if you don’t currently intend to)? Which issues do you think deserve to be top priority for incoming ministers?

We’ve collectively campaigned on or added our support to others' campaigns around a number of issues, such as:

affordable, available childcare;
better provision of education, health and social services for children with additional needs;
better miscarriage care;
more and better sex and relationships education in schools;
the availability and variety of contraception;
getting sales reps off maternity wards;
flexible working; and
tackling FGM.

Other issues that seem to crop up regularly are bringing down the cost of some school uniforms; and more and/or better-paid parental leave, including paternity leave and bereavement/adjustment leave.

Are there other things Mumsnetters collectively agree on? Are those on the above list still as important to you as they have been? We’d thought we'd throw out this entirely unscientific starter for 10 with a view to informing a more nuanced analysis of each issue and a fuller survey of Mumsnet users in time for, no doubt, the string of ministers and ministerial hopefuls headed our way come early next year when the election campaign gets into full swing.

So please do let us know what you think.

Thanks
MNHQ

OP posts:
ColouringInQueen · 20/05/2014 10:48

I would like to see resources for mental health services increased so that they are proportionate to their prevalence.

Currently mental health services are funded proportionately less than resources for physical health conditions, and are being cut harder. Proven schemes to help people with mental illness manage and improve are going, so more people end up in crisis - which is a lot more expensive and there are too few places.

nomorequotes · 20/05/2014 10:34
  • Tax breaks for couples and home schoolers (they save us a fortune)
  • profit-based tax increases that attack multinationals but prevent small businesses from struggling
  • End to Fracking, plans to make every home in the UK capable of producing small amounts of electricity. Focus on improving renewable energies and sources
  • Referendum on the EU with plans to become independent such as Iceland/Norway/Sweden.
  • child related benefits to be stopped after third child to come into effect 9 months from budget
  • more subsidised nurseries
-wrap around care directives for schools.
MrsMargoLeadbetter · 20/05/2014 10:23

It is hard to argue with things like reducing child poverty, better support for domestic violence victims & cheaper childcare etc.

I would like more done to help women become more visible in the working (outside the home) world. To me we will only achieve equality when there are more women in powerful positions.

This issues we all care about might be given more attention if there were more women around the table discussing them.

In Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In she talks about it was only once she herself was pregnant and had to dash across the carpark to a meeting heavily pregnant that she and the board thought about 'pregnant parking spaces'. Sometimes you need a female perspective to help consider the female perspective.

So in terms of Government - quotas on boards, encouraging more women to be MPs etc.

I don't want my DD to be replying to a similar thread in 35 years time saying the same things.....

Thanks MN for asking.

OneInEight · 20/05/2014 10:13

Lack of state provision for academically able children with high functioning autism.

JuliaScurr · 20/05/2014 09:59

Effective action on male violence against women, including prostitution

Messygirl · 20/05/2014 09:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.