Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Mumsnet webchats

WEBCHAT GUIDELINES: 1. One question per member plus one follow-up. 2. Keep your question brief. 3. Don't moan if your question doesn't get answered. 4. Do be civil/polite. 5. If one topic or question threatens to overwhelm the webchat, MNHQ will usually ask for people to stop repeating the same question or point.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Sarah Brown joining us for live webchat Tues 8 March, 1-2pm

162 replies

RachelMumsnet · 03/03/2011 11:58

Sarah Brown is joining us for a live webchat on her second visit to Mumsnet HQ on Tuesday 8 March between 1pm and 2pm. Sarah's memoir of Downing Street, Behind the Black Door, is out on 3 March and promises to share the secrets of living behind the most famous front door in the world and what it's like to be an ordinary woman, wife and mother in extraordinary circumstances.

Sarah last visited MNHQ back in February 2010 when she was still living at Number 10. We celebrated a Big Night In in aid of the charity founded by Sarah, PiggyBankKids. We're delighted to be welcoming her back, paticularly as the webchat coincides with International Women's Day and Sarah is known for her advocacy of issues around maternal mortality and women's equality.

Join us next Tuesday lunchtime but, as usual, if you're unable to join us, do post a question on this thread that we'll put to Sarah on the day. Everyone who joins in the discussion will be entered into a draw to win one of five signed copies of Sarah's biography Behind the Black Door.

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 06/03/2011 13:08

not misplaced,given sb wrote book about her time as PM wife.so she too is marketing the association

twinky · 06/03/2011 13:18

It's a pity that so many mumsnetters are confusing Mrs Brown with her husband. As far as I can see the webchat is supposed to be with her, and not Gordon. So I'd like to ask her something about herself.
Why did you decide to give up such a successful career when you got married and is it something that you ever regretted? Plus I really felt for you that night that Sarkozy and Carla came for dinner. You looked lovely as always but having to be photographed next to that women would be enough to make any normal woman feel like crying. Grin

scottishmummy · 06/03/2011 13:49

dont be so patronising no one is confused,from q's i see there is a range of questions.not solely about gordon either

however sb is selling a book based upon her time as pm wife. sb is discussing gordon pm job and its affect upon her.promoting and selling her time associated with her husband job. she hasn't written book about her time working in Hobsbawm Macaulay. she has chosen to write about being pm wife and associated anecdotes and observations.

so its fair game she asked about gordon too

jugglingjo · 06/03/2011 13:52

Agree with twinky to the extent that as it's Sarah who's going to be with us on International Women's Day let's try to talk woman to woman. And no harm in trying to remember an International agenda at least some of the time too Grin
As women and mothers how can we help to improve things for other women and mothers around the world ?

withagoat · 06/03/2011 14:03

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet.

catinthehat2 · 06/03/2011 14:35

what's your question, caller?
Should be a corker! Grin

TrashersMum · 06/03/2011 15:27

I know that the royalties from Beyond The Crash go to Piggybankkids will your book royalties too? Also, beyond neonatal research how do you decide which children's charities to support?

Hassled · 06/03/2011 22:02

I'd like to ask how you see the Labour party's future. I have to say (as a member - a Ballsian :o) that I've been quite spectacularly unimpressed by Ed M to date and there has been very little to fill me with hope for the party's immediate future. We need charisma, or if not charisma then at least gravitas - we need something other than schoolboy awkwardness. We're ahead in the polls by luck rather than judgement. Do you agree?

jugglingjo · 06/03/2011 22:23

Do wonder slightly if David would have been the better choice ?
Sorry all, that's just how I see it.

expatinscotland · 07/03/2011 01:22

Right enough, scottishmummy. Right enough.

As per jugglingjo's comment I presume she means Mr Cameron?

And why not?

He's not been anything other than what he is, a Tory, why would anyone believe any different?

For my part, I'm an SNP voter. This past election was the first I could ever vote in, being a naturalised person. I changed my postal vote at the last minute. It was mine to cast and will be again in May.

I'm not a buyer of books these days, except out of charity shops, which are few here, and our library is poor and so are we.

I'm foreign, the daughter of very Conservative parents and a self-made father. I was still brought up realising how privileged my upbringing was, from the tales of my father and his siblings, all of whom became university-educated professionals. My mother, though, not from a poor background, was of the sort where women, she finished high school in 1959, did not go to university except to become teachers and/or until they found a husband. Indeed, many universities did not allow women entry at that time and in that place, though she was very clever.

Coming from this background, and a place where an equally great economic collapse occurred under a Conservative government and ever keeping abreast of politics, I cannot pin blame on Mr Brown, Mr Cameron or any one person for the collapse of it all, and feel it is as wrong to do so as it is to pin it on the right-wing peer Mr George Bush, Jr.

Because I can't convince myself that any one leader as such would have it in them to do such a one thing in full awareness and conscience to their own people and countrymen, and if there were anyone of whom I might believe it, for some odd reason (because I will never know him) I cannot believe it of Mr Brown.

So sue me (I can assure you, you'll get FA).

expatinscotland · 07/03/2011 01:53

Something my own father said to me always sticks in my head. He is a 'republican' in the literal sense of the world, and, his parents being immigrants and so a first generation national himself, a patriot.

'Small state must equal small tax, so that the working populace can chose and pay for their services. Small state plus heavy tax equals con, and I'd not be having that.'

So I look at our future here. I look mostly at the future of my children here, such a beautiful place.

And very sadly, I don't see much a one for them no matter what I do, and this is sad because it's a painful thing, to go away from your own country because you feel the alternative for you is better.

I don't think many know, what it is like, to know your life is better, forever, in a country that you were not born to or bred to, and so despite your love for you new home, you will carry with you forever a longing. 'If only things were different!'

But they are not.

So stop blaming! It's a useless endeavour, for what was, was, what is now, that is the only thing you can change.

And try instead for peace.

purits · 07/03/2011 09:01

"Because I can't convince myself that any one leader as such would have it in them to do such a one thing in full awareness and conscience to their own people and countrymen"

Have you never heard the phrase 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions'? Socialism is great in theory but entirely impractical in reality. That's why so many young people are Left-leaning but see sense as they grow up.

Maiakins · 07/03/2011 09:23

Hi Sarah, I read somewhere that you are not a natural public speaker and get nervous beforehand. As someone who is crippled by nerves when speaking in front of more than about 10 people, do you have any advice? How did you cope?

And are you glad that part of your life is over, so you don't have to do that anymore? Or did you get so used to it by the end?

P.S. Loved the photo of you with George Clooney in the green cardigan here - can you remember what was going through your head when that photo was taken? He does look very dashing!

PatBlanpainForder · 07/03/2011 09:46

The legal society are becoming increasingly concerned planned cuts in legal id.

Concern is expressed that whilst superficially the cuts do not appear draconian, the application of definitions, and thus where Legal Aid might become available to people, is.

For example, people caught in a violent relationship may not receive legal aid until the violence is evident and, more importantly proven (e.g. police reports, court case, etc).

What is concerning the Legal Society even more is the lack of publicity this particular issue is receiving. It is perceived the proposed changes will affect women and children the most i.e. people in soceity who generally do not have the loudest voice.

A website has been set up for people to voice their comments on this matter, and register their votes here:
38degrees.uservoice.com/forums/78585-campaign-suggestions/suggestions/1225109-legal-aid

My question to Sarah Brown: Could she suggest means by which we could further raise the profile of this issue with the Public? It can be a rather dry topic i.e. legal stuff, but it is very important.

We are tweeting, have put links on facebook sites, and so forth. Any other suggestions from one who is familiar with raising the profile of good causes would be much valued and highly appreciated.

angelfee · 07/03/2011 10:46

Alpha1 Antitrypsine Deficiency (A1AD)is a genetic condition that has no cure. Smoking and passive smoking speed up the lung damage that A1AD causes.

Babies should be tested at birth for A1AD so that their families could stop smoking and that they would never smoke. The test can be done as part of a usual blood test. If A1AD is detected other testing will need to be done to find out the type.

Everyone should be told about A1AD so that they can decide if they want to be tested.

Liver damage can also occur and, by being tested, people could be monitored and also take steps to avoid any other liver damage from alcohol and medications if they have A1AD.

Sarah - What could be done to let everyone know about this condition and therefore help childrens/adults health and the choices people make.

Thank you reading this

MrsKwazii · 07/03/2011 11:31

Hello Sarah, I'd like to ask what your thoughts are on (Labour peer and party donor) Alan Sugar's latest soundoff about employers being able to ask women if they are planning to have children at interview.

"I believe the employment regulations for women whereby the prospective employer is not able to inquire about the interviewee's status regarding children or childcare, or indeed their intention of becoming a parent, are counterproductive. Some women may agree with me on this."

Why in this day and age are we still having this discussion and why is it only focused on women? What more can be done by legislators, opinion formers and us to tackle this inequality?

DuckyDoo · 07/03/2011 13:07

Hi Sarah, on this centenary celebration of International Women?s Day, which will see widespread celebration of female empowerment, there are still millions, if not billions, of women who do not benefit much, if at all, from education and training or scientific and technological advances. It is a shocking fact that even in 2011 six out of ten of the world?s poorest people are women. Many women are still disempowered and simply getting pregnant can be the most dangerous thing she can do. If you could do one thing to improve the lot of the world?s women, what would you do? Thank you!

addtostock · 07/03/2011 13:51

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet.

catinthehat2 · 07/03/2011 14:04

Excellent!
A spambot has now joined in the general shambles
All this just to flog a book
Hope it's worth it Grin

jugglingjo · 07/03/2011 14:39

I'm quite interested to read it myself !

Also, I've thought about writing a book, perhaps on parenting more than one child ( as on another thread some of us thought there was a gap in the market on this subject )

How did you find writing a book ?
Do you have any tips ?

catinthehat2 · 07/03/2011 18:15

"MN WEBCHAT GUIDELINES 1. One question per member plus a follow-up question if appropriate, ie once you've had a response."

I think you're on about 4 at the moment

jugglingjo · 07/03/2011 18:22

At least they're all good ones, and friendly ones too that she might like to answer Grin

I'm happy for her to choose her favourite !

Anyway, they're guidelines not rules as I see it !

And I've found in life that even with rules sometimes they're made to be broken !

If it makes it any easier for you, you can put it down to my Attention Deficit Disorder Smile

I'll try and stay quiet now until tomorrow.

jugglingjo · 07/03/2011 18:36

I've just read through the thread, and to clarify I think I've asked two basic questions.

  1. On International Women's Day would you like to comment on your work with the White Ribbon Alliance to improve maternal services for women around the world ?

And

  1. How did you find the process of writing your book, and do you have any tips for other would be authors ?

If I'm only allowed one question then I think any fool can see the first is the more important ! Wink

domesticslattern · 07/03/2011 23:22

What do you think of Sally Bercow and would you like to give her any advice?

studentmidwife999 · 07/03/2011 23:32

Hi Sarah

As you are aware there is a great shortage of Midwives in the UK.

How would you promote the role of the Midwife to the Health Secretary in order to encourage him to fund more Midwifery posts before funding other departments?