Nick Clegg on Mumsnet this Thursday (16th Sept) evening between 8 and 9 pm

[JustineMumsnet]

We're delighted that the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, will be joining us for a webchat this Thursday evening 8 and 9pm.

Next week the Deputy PM will be joining other world leaders, celebrities and business leaders who are gathering in New York for the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Summit. He will be aiming for global action to reduce the shocking number of women who die during pregnancy and childbirth in the world's poorest countries.

Nick is happy to answer your questions on the UN summit as well as on his role as Deputy Prime Minster. Join us on Thursday evening or if you can't make it along then post your question (one each only please) here.

Thanks.

ledodgy

Really, really disappointed. I had hoped to read real answers to the very important questions which were asked. I am no wiser now than I was at 8pm. Actually that's not true, I now know that polititians are good at avoiding providing real answers.

He didn't answer any of my questions

ledodgy - I have to agree I heard a few quacks!

Feeling disappointed and worried at the thought of Nick representing us at the UN Summit. He didn't seem to give any depth in his response to the questions about the MDGs. I know he didn't have much time to do that, but he came off as vague and dismissive (in my opinion). I didn't get the impression he cared at all. Also, he never answered the question about the conflicting aid policy - prioritising women and children vs. securitising aid.

Maybe we could have a real Tory on like Andrew Mitchell, who would at least give the impression of knowing what they were talking about?

He didn't answer my real question but he did respond to my indirect slur about Thatcherism. He's obviously more concerned about that than answering real questions.

Be interesting to see what all the'deleted' posts were......also "PS,i'm not a Tory".....HAHAHA

He is massively right wing. Remains to be seen whether he can take the party with him. Interesting to see the negative reaction on here - wonder how that translates out in the real world. My stat re: his rating with tories vs rating with Libdems ought to make him sweat.

Am aware I am hardly on MN anymore though so not really representative of this community. Am tempted back by this sort of thing but almost wish it didn't happen - MN has way too much influence but as we see the reality of having these people on is frustration and feeling short changed/ patronised.

I actually ended up feeling a bit sorry for him after starting off hating his guts...

Maybe that's why he came on, to get the sympathy vote.

Cupcakes ... did you get the impression he came across as a bit testy? ... "Give me a chance!"

Cupcakes - I am so proud that I got a namecheck - via your thather slur. LOVE IT

Polly - It's important for politicians to see how much their decisions affect people. I would have no more, or no little respect, for someone who made good points regardless of their commitment to MN IYKWIM?

Well I thought that was great, I think he's got an unfair hearing. He was taking the time to talk about maternal health. Alright he didn't answer my anti pope question, but he did come out pro-choice, commented on FGM, midwife led care and I think it's amazing and great and truly such a change from even 5 years ago that this is high on the agenda of a MALE polician (obviously would be nicer to have women in cabinet)

And I think we give Nick to hard a time for the coalitiion - there are only 57 Lib Dem MP's to the 306 conservative, that's 19% and I think he's got more than 19% say in the policies, so well done. Imagine the nightmare we'd been left with just a minority conservative nasty party!

MNHQ - if you are in touch with Nick Clegg at all, please could you put the following to him regarding the Fawcett Society question and legal proceedings

When asked about the Fawcett society legal proceedings, Nick Clegg said "What I will say is that the last Budget gave more consideration to its impact than any before. We published detailed distributional analysis of the impacts for the very first time."

The Government had a LEGAL REQUIREMENT to undergo a specific test under equality laws. Whether or not it gave other considerations, it had a legal duty. A car owner is required to undergo a MOT test. Failure to do so is not mitigated by saying "But I had 20 different mechanics look at it, they all said it was ok." It is a SPECIFIC TEST.

Mr Clegg - hope you carry on reading this thread. Please remember the electorate have brains and are not bamboozled by 'political' answers.

But he didn't come out with anything more than well-used soundbites
I would have welcomed a proper discussion about global maternal health. He wasn't able to provide that.

how different from his last webchat where he said he didn't like Gina Ford and everyone fell at his feet in adoration!
(as I remember it.)

I am just not sure it's the best format.

We are all challenging and expecting a dialogue. He has an hour, is surrounded by advisors and the pressure not to say anything which will make the Today programme tomorrow (see biscuits passim).

I see how it's great for MN but struggle to see what he has got out of this.

Would really be great if he read the thread and came back with some more considered answers .

No, it isn't the ideal forum. Time is limited.
SO
I would have expected him to know his audience, know what their concerns are, and come prepared to talk about the issue in a way that shows substance.
Glib, pat responses are poor.

Agree uneprune

I almost feel sorry for him.

[Looks up from her copy of Doctor Faustus]

Do you mean I missed all this?

Oh, wait, no, I didn't really.