Mumsnet is becoming a politics whore?

[Swedes2Turnips0]

Surely we should be observing and commenting on the forthcoming election as and when we want to? And criticising and/or applauding government policy as and when we see fit? And definitely not performing like seals for Newsnight or for anyone else.

I can't even be bothered to look up the spelling of vaccuum -- it would be quite reassuring for someone to refer me to pedants' corner.

AIBU?

YANBU

I read some of the Newsnight thread and really felt quite uncomfortable at the thought that the views of a very vocal few will be taken as representative of opinion on here.

for right amount of money mn will be any ole whore you want her to be

dear god how dear us wee burds not know our place.wimmin commenting on politics.they will want the vote next

Tis shocking (as I have rapidly turned over the TV to watch newsnight).

Are we a focus group?

The joke is the politicians aren't really interested in what Mumsnetters have to say AT ALL, just who they are going to vote for. It's like your best friend having a cad for a boyfriend.

We are the new and interesting angle, for the moment.

no one can influence mn as it isnt a construct. mn isnt a pressure group or homogeneous mass it is a forum for individuals.

Scottishmummy you often say things that are good. That was great.

punditry is part and parcel of politics.

If people want MNetters to act as pundits, they can, if you don't want to take part, don't.

Its like saying oh I can't be bothered to vote, but don't let the people I disagree with vote...

"Vacuum"

I agree, there's no one MN voice.

Sometimes you do get a groundswell of popular opinion at large, that is reflected on MN, and then the politicos could learn something from reading on here.

But we're a fairly diverse crew

I do feel that on most political threads there is always a wide variety of political opinions expressed....

Jst ask Daftpunk.

indeed, and a fair few others as well.

I'm another I think.

Or am I?

Don't know what I think about all this, actually. Will have a think

But can I just say ... 800,000 members? Really?

Well, I hold the view that as nobody is forcing you to speak up, complaining about those who do speak up borders on censorship!

I didn't speak up before because it didn't occur to me. In all honestly I am more concerned about paying my water bill than who is running the country. But if someone asks my opinion, I will give it.

I guess the most brave articulate MNers are going to speak up and have their POV listened to.

But it's like that in all walks of life.

They probably glean more genuine opinion from a broader cross section by browsing random threads (which I'm sure some do) than from a specific thread asking for opinions.

I don't understand the concern - we're not selling our souls, we're posting our thoughts about matters political on a public forum. If Newsnight want to know what I think about X, Y and Z, I'm more than happy to tell them.

And yes, their primary concern will be who we plan to vote for. But if DC were to discover that actually every single one of us plans to vote Lib Dem, then I can't imagine he's not interested as to why. He won't re-write Conservative policy as a result, but if our collective thoughts give any politician more of an insight into what parents are concerned about, that has to be a good thing.

You spelt vacuum right.

I am a little bit scared that we will be taken over by dickhead political researchers. Starting threads just to do their work for them.

ah well, ronshar, journos have been doing that for years, and MN still seems to thrive!

ronshar - quite.

Hassled - But that Newsnight thread. It really isn't the voice of Mumsnet is it? It's a very few posters using the vote early and vote often tactic.

Journo's are one thing. We get to see in the papers exactly who does their homework here.
Political ejits are alot more suspicious.

well, its not like there was lots of forewarning - those who could post, and were interested enough did, and a broad enough section of political opinion was voiced.

Twas a quick snapshot, and not entirely unrepresentitive of many MNetters views...

there is no mn voice.we are not a collective commune.there is no mn consensus or ethos.we are individual's with pc and opinions

It's the voice of the MNers who were interested enough to post. Which is all anyone starting one of those "The Media Needs You!" threads can hope for. The MN Census results are way more representative, I agree.

I just thought of something relevant and interesting to say and now it's completely gone. I cannot hold a thought anymore. I wonder if Newsnight care about premature dementia?