did everyone know the department of health is 'in partnership' with Mumsnet?

I don't think that there is any danger of MN seeming to support one party rather than another. But I do feel that increasingly MN (as an enterprise rather than as a body of users) has a very very strong interest in appearing politically engaged and in seeking to be engaged with governemntal structures. The whole 'Mumsnet election' thing brought them a publicity hike, and their campaigning on a range of issues dovetails with partnerships like the one in the OP, and with initiatives like David Cameron's suggestion of govt-produced leaflets promoting MN (and some other sites) to new parents.

Nothing wrong with MN pursuing its business objectives in tandem with the social campaigns that it supports (and a strong chance that it will do some good in the process). But I really think that it is way past the time when MN should produce some sort of onsite statements and structures that amount to a declaration of interest and allow people who are simply posters on a forum not to feel that they are, by their numbers or their posts, giving support to partnerships that MN might be pursuing.

Increasingly MN is two things: a community (loosely!) of posters, and a lobbying organisation with objectives determined from the centre (with informal consultation of interested users but without any real consultative procedures that amount to anything like a mandate). I really think that their should be proper structures to support that dual role. The campaigning arm could be immensely strengthened, and the talk forum would not be pulled into being grist to mills it was unawre were grinding.

I said a while ago that MN were in danger of appearing to be in support of on or other political party before the election.

Surely, people on MN can make comments on maternity care or indeed any aspect of parenting and Ministers and Civil servants can read those comments without it being in 'partnership' with Govt?