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

[RachelMumsnet]

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.

Hi Sarah,
What was your take on Gordon and the 'biscuit gate' hoo har?

Are you proud that he inspired our ?

Are you a secret MNetter?

Sorry that's three.

@PatBlanpainForder

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

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

PatBlanPainForder and Angelfee ? I?m by no means an expert in the policy questions you are raising, but you also asked how to bring attention to a cause, so here are my top tips:
1)Research research research research! People will always try to knock you down when you first try to do something, so invest a lot of time in making sure you know the answers to tricky questions and the other side of the argument
2)Try to find a ?champion? ? somebody high profile with experience of the issue or an affinity with it and see if they can help
3)Don?t underestimate how loud your friends can shout if you ask for help ? even a few people writing to a newspaper or calling into a radio show starts to get noticed
4)Don?t give up?

Hi Sarah, I remember meeting you once with my boss years ago at Party Conf season in Blackpool. You were a great PR professional back then, do you ever miss that side of things?

@Culla

How do you manage your time with the different aspects of your work and fltting in famiily needs too? Do you have a plan each day? Do you have a nanny?

I work from home and do find it quite difficult!

I have a brilliant nanny we've had for many years who works with us during the week. I really value having good child care, it makes all the difference to me and my boys (all of them!).

Hi, me again, sorry that sounds rather rude now I read it back, not meant that way at all. I'm a big fan of how you carry yourself with so much dignity and I also loved the dress you wore to leave No 10.

Thanks for your response about the public speaking. I'll try the tip about making sure the water is chilly.

I've got another question ... Who was your favourite first lady from other countries - who did you get on best with?

[quote nowit]

Hi Sarah,
What was your take on Gordon and the 'biscuit gate' hoo har?

Are you proud that he inspired our ?

Are you a secret MNetter?

Sorry that's three.[/quote?]

I think it's funny - everybody likes to come to MN Towers and leave their mark... I have been working on one for PiggyBankKids - what do you think? :@)

@mummylouise

Sarah,

I read your book yesterday (almost in one sitting), i found it to be very interesting and informative about your role as the PMW.

Do you think that being the PMW gave ur charities and causes an increased media pressences, and has this changed since leaving Downing Street?

Thankyou.

Having the full weight of Number 10 behind you definitely helps raise profile, but we?ve still found that we can help promote good causes using the platform we have now. For example Gordon came and guest-edited my twitter account (www.twitter.com/sarahbrownuk) as part of a big push around freedom in Burma (he?s a patron of www.burmacampaign.org.uk) and that got a lot of media attention and a good response from fellow tweeters.

Hi Sarah

In January I spent much of early labour in hospital reading Beyond the Crash which I would recommend to other mums-to-be in need of a distraction! I haven't had much time to read since my daughter's arrival and was wondering if you have any good recommendations from your recent reads? (Not forgetting your own of course!)

Hi Sarah,

One of the main issues which crops up again and again on Musmnet re whether or not mothers will return to work post-birth is childcare; the lack of affordable childcare, the difficulties with short school days, the issues with covering days when your kids are unwell and what on earth to do with the long school holidays.

What would you like to see change to make it easier for women to return profitably to work?

Thanks

@bogle

Hi, me again, sorry that sounds rather rude now I read it back, not meant that way at all. I'm a big fan of how you carry yourself with so much dignity and I also loved the dress you wore to leave No 10.

Not rude at all! Don't worry For me my work has changed over the years - from running my own small business, to raising the boys to helping charities and campaigns with their strategy now. I've enjoyed them all but I'm always looking forward. I don't believe you can define a woman just by looking at one moment of her life - we are always learning and changing all the time.

Hi Sarah
Not a question.Just wanted to say I wrote to you when you lost your baby daughter(I lost my first son) and was very touched to get a personal reply. Please keep doing all your good work to raise awareness of premature births.All the best.

@twinky

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.

People ask me a lot what it was like ?to give up work? ? but truthfully it never felt like that to me! There were so many events, sometimes 12 in a day, that I felt I was packing more in than I ever did earlier in my career. It felt like I was using my skills and experiences to do a job for the country ? not like I wasn?t working. And yes, like every job there were hard bits ? like having to be pictured with and compared to supermodels!

Hi Sarah,
How did you feel about your fashion sense being so scrutinised while your dh was in office? Do you wish (in the name of equality what with it being IWD and everything) that the PM's clothes got at least, if not more, attention than the PM's wife?
Nice to see you on here

Hi Sarah!!

I'm sorry, I don't really have a question - I just wanted to say that from a political and personal perspective I have a huge amount of respect for both you and Gordon. I think he had such a hard time of it, and really was amazingly dignified in everything he did - including his final fight and his resignation!

I meant to think of a way to get in touch at the time - but I'm not normally one of those people, so kept forgetting about it, but I just wanted him and you to know that some people know how hard he worked - and how little he deserved so much of the critisism! (I'm talking mostly about the personal critisism, it was completely unneccesary). You were an amazing PM's Wife and really conducted yourself so well, I can't wait to read your book.

Anyway, I read your Glamour interview and suddenly realised that I missed seeing you both around so much! I hope you're all doing well!

(Please note I'm not a crazy stalker or head of the GB Fan Club !!)

@RedEm

Hi Sarah

In January I spent much of early labour in hospital reading Beyond the Crash which I would recommend to other mums-to-be in need of a distraction! I haven't had much time to read since my daughter's arrival and was wondering if you have any good recommendations from your recent reads? (Not forgetting your own of course!)

That's one of the best endorsements for Gordon's book I've heard so far. In terms of books I'd recommend here's a list I compiled recently for Waterstones www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/pages/sarah-brown/2283/. Hope you enjoy them

@RunningWithScissors

Hi Sarah,

One of the main issues which crops up again and again on Musmnet re whether or not mothers will return to work post-birth is childcare; the lack of affordable childcare, the difficulties with short school days, the issues with covering days when your kids are unwell and what on earth to do with the long school holidays.

What would you like to see change to make it easier for women to return profitably to work?

Thanks

One of the things I'm proudest of that the last government did was create Sure Start and now I'd like to see it protected, extended and expanded so that families everywhere get all the support they need.

@domesticslattern

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

she?s a strong woman and a great friend and on International Women?s Day we girls all need to stick together! I?m sure you?ll get here on here one day.

@WhasThisAllAbout

Hi Sarah!!

I'm sorry, I don't really have a question - I just wanted to say that from a political and personal perspective I have a huge amount of respect for both you and Gordon. I think he had such a hard time of it, and really was amazingly dignified in everything he did - including his final fight and his resignation!

I meant to think of a way to get in touch at the time - but I'm not normally one of those people, so kept forgetting about it, but I just wanted him and you to know that some people know how hard he worked - and how little he deserved so much of the critisism! (I'm talking mostly about the personal critisism, it was completely unneccesary). You were an amazing PM's Wife and really conducted yourself so well, I can't wait to read your book.

Anyway, I read your Glamour interview and suddenly realised that I missed seeing you both around so much! I hope you're all doing well!

(Please note I'm not a crazy stalker or head of the GB Fan Club !!)

Thank you

Sarah, you must have a lot of demands on your time, how do you prioritise and manage it all?

@painterlyswoosh

Hi Sarah,
How did you feel about your fashion sense being so scrutinised while your dh was in office? Do you wish (in the name of equality what with it being IWD and everything) that the PM's clothes got at least, if not more, attention than the PM's wife?
Nice to see you on here

I hope I didn't come out of the scrutiny too badly -a few wrong tights, a few ripped tights and one time I stood on the hem of a gorgeous long dress and had a rather more 'red carpet' cleavage than I'd planned! But I loved supporting British fashion - both talented designers and the high street. Gordon despite also wearing British suits and ties is of course rather more workhorse than clothes horse... I think that's ok to admit that rather than

@protonsandelectrons

The deeper side of politics aside, does it feel odd to move your family into a flat, try and make it home, knowing that period is undefined, and then have to move out relatively quickly and watch a new family very publically make it their own. I know a home is more than the bricks but its important nonetheless to feel safe and settled where we live if possible and it must be very odd being at No 10/11.

My second question (as HC ignores house rules) is whats it like to be married to someone on call 24/7? DH is pretty bad at not switching off, but it must be a nightmare having a friday night bottle of wine knowing something could kick off worldwide anythime that would require your husband to react.

Oh, and ala Hilary C, have you any desire to go into mainstream politics yourself, and if so, what party?

Definitely NO plans to go into elected politics. As you say, it?s a 24/7 job and I already have one of them with DS1 and DS2 and the charity work, but it?s no secret that I?m a supporter of www.labour.org.uk. As regards moving out of Downing St, our house in Scotland was always the main family home, so it was nice for us to get back to living there full time.

@Culla

Sarah, you must have a lot of demands on your time, how do you prioritise and manage it all?

It's a simple one word answer. Imperfectly

No problem!! Sarah Brown replied to me

Just to mention, when I said I meant he didn't deserve the personal criticism, I also don't think he deserved a lot of the criticism of the way he did his job....but feel that's a whole different conversation!

@pink4ever

Hi Sarah
Not a question.Just wanted to say I wrote to you when you lost your baby daughter(I lost my first son) and was very touched to get a personal reply. Please keep doing all your good work to raise awareness of premature births.All the best.

Thank you for your message and I'm sorry for your loss. At www.piggybankkids.org we are supporting medical research into finding solutions into pregnancy complications and birth difficulties with a view to saving future new born lives. That better understanding is what we need. :@)