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Which lovely MNers can come and serve tea to the great and the good at the Party Conferences this year?

184 replies

KateMumsnet · 08/09/2010 15:17

Hello Everyone

We're joining up with the White Ribbon Alliance to put on another Mum's Cafe at two party conferences this year, in order to highlight Maternal and Newborn Health. Horrifyingly, a woman dies from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth nearly every minute - and 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries.

The Cafe will be very like the one we pulled off with such aplomb at the Houses of Parliament in March, when Carrie spoke so brilliantly to an audience of assorted politicos, activists and the lovely Annie Lennox. Then, some gorgeous Mumsnetters dressed up in fine retro style, pouring tea for thirsty attendees to universal acclaim - and that's exactly what we plan again.

This time non-Londoners will get a look in, with the Labour Conference event taking place on Tuesday 28th of September in Manchester, and the Conservative one the following Tuesday 5th in Birmingham. If you're wondering what happened to the LibDem event, I'm assured that this was all planned much earlier in the year, when the political landscape was rather, ahem, different. Grin

So who's up for dressing up in a pinny, a headscarf and some retro red lippie, and spending an hour or so pouring tea to the great and the good in support of a very good cause? Scroll down our campaign page to see a photo of what, precisely, we're asking of you!

One issue to highlight - the WRA are hoping to start both Mum's Cafes pretty darn early - at about 9am Shock. This is because there is more chance of grabbing the grandees at this hour - so let us know if you can make it then, but also if you could make it, but not that early!

OP posts:
DanceInTheDark · 08/09/2010 15:20

Will it involve catching the train dressed in 1950s(sh) regalia?

ChaosTrulyReigns · 08/09/2010 15:30

I'm Brum-ish.

Would love to support.

KateMumsnet · 08/09/2010 15:38

Thank you Chaos!

DanceInTheDark, we will ensure there is a suitable phone box changing area at the venue in which to complete your transformation into SuperPinny..

OP posts:
DaisyFields · 08/09/2010 15:50

I'd love to, too! No problem getting to b'ham early and can't think of 2 things I love more than dressing up and tea!

whatwasthatagain · 08/09/2010 16:23

I could do Manchester. Will any pinny do?

grumpypants · 08/09/2010 16:35

not being funny, but my first thought was how demeaning - the request reads a bit like little women serving tea while the rest of them get on with the real issues! Sorry - obv I wasn't present last year so am just looking at face value.

ohforfoxsake · 08/09/2010 16:40

I'd be keen to be involved in the Manchester one, if I can get things sorted at home.

BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger · 08/09/2010 16:43

I'd be interested in the Birmingham one, if I can sort out childcare.

PfftTheMagicDragon · 08/09/2010 16:45

pouring tea to univeral acclaim...

HmmConfused

JudgeJudithSheindlin · 08/09/2010 16:48

I have to say that was my first thought too grumpy.

Unless snorbs, beenbeta, unquietdad and other male MNers will be donning pinny, headscarf & lippy too.

hunkermunker · 08/09/2010 17:10

What was the feedback like from the politicos at the last one?

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 08/09/2010 17:14

I'd like to see that.

I can see what they're doing, playing up to the "mum" image and attracting attention (suppose it's better than semi-clad "lovelies" which is the usual way of catching politicians' people's eyes).

But it is a bit erm patronising isn't it? Especially when only about 20% of MPs are women.

mollyroger · 08/09/2010 17:20

oh I WISH I could, mainly because I was born to serve tea and cake. And I do 1950s really well. Sadly, I work on Tuesdays :(

I have no qualms about the feministic side, because i genuinely love serving up tea and cake to people. I always liked being a waitress when I was younger and I dream of my own tea shop.

midnightexpress · 08/09/2010 17:50

One could always accidentally spill one's tray of scalding hot tea into a strategic lap, grumpy and jjs Wink. It is rather...erm...retro in feminist terms though, no?

llareggub · 08/09/2010 17:58

I can do the Birmingham one. Presumably you supply the pinnies and headscarves? I could make it a 9am start at a push.

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 08/09/2010 17:59

can i come in a white, green & purple sash and chain myself to it?

JudgeJudithSheindlin · 08/09/2010 18:06

LMAO at "retro in feminist terms". What a polite way of putting it! And Grin at elephant's sash.

Perhaps I could throw myself in the path of some politico's iron horse? Does Mr Cameron still ride his now he's pm?

Honestly MN this is just so demeaning and it's such a worthwhile cause too.

whomovedmychocolate · 08/09/2010 18:09

I'd only do it in 50s lingerie frankly. And I want to be allowed to bring my rolling pin too. Grin

PfftTheMagicDragon · 08/09/2010 18:12

Judith - I believe he travels everywhere by a diamond encrusted pony with golden hooves.

LadyBlaBlah · 08/09/2010 18:15

I could do Manchester

But only in my army gear

snoozathon · 08/09/2010 18:17

Have to agree that this sounds like a handy caricature of MNetters and is a bit demeaning.

I'd be up for it if we could serve them tea and cakes wearing viper costumes from a great big spiky nest.

PfftTheMagicDragon · 08/09/2010 18:18

I would be interested to hear how serving tea highlights these issues.

whomovedmychocolate · 08/09/2010 18:21

I want to see Dadsnet joining in. Men in pinnies please.

whomovedmychocolate · 08/09/2010 18:22

And since when did they invite the great and the good - I thought it was mainly politicians Wink

BrianAndHisBalls · 08/09/2010 18:22

agree, sounds like working in finance, if you're female they think you're there to make the tea and take notes Sad

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