Live webchat with Ed Miliband, Labour leader and Leader of the Opposition, Thursday 1st Dec at 1.45pm

[KatieMumsnet]

We're very pleased to announce that Labour leader, Ed Miliband will be joining us for a webchat this Thursday between 1.45pm and 2.45pm.

Ed is MP for Doncaster, former Minister for Energy and Climate change and won the Labour leadership in the autumn of 2010. He's keen to hear your views and answer any of your questions.

Do join us for the webchat. As ever, if you can't make it, please post up your advance questions here.

Thanks,

MNHQ

"EdMiliband Thu 01-Dec-11 14:18:19
There are steps we should be taking now to get Britain working again and build a better economy for the future - one which works for most people and helps Britain pay its way in the world."

Make ALL types of childcare 100% tax deductible and there is a huge step right there.

(KateMiddIeton) "Not a question but a statement: If you worry about what you'll inherit stop them now. Break up the coalition. Do something"

Fourthed!

@JaxV

KateMiddIeton: "Not a question but a statement: If you worry about what you'll inherit stop them now. Break up the coalition. Do something"

Hear hear!!

I would love the coalition to end before 2015 but in the end its the Lib dems who would have to make that decision---to leave the Tories.

Same here HuntyCat. Was just looking at the clock and hoping

KateMiddIeton: "Not a question but a statement: If you worry about what you'll inherit stop them now. Break up the coalition. Do something"

This is what we want to see, action, not placating words. #frothers.

It's all very well telling us what the government are currently doing wrong, I seem to remember them doing the very same thing when Labour were in power. We all know what they are doing wrong, what we want to know is what you will do instead.

Briefly then, 4 ways to cut the deficit that you would enforce if in power.

There are many more people underemployed than unemployed.

I would love the coalition to end before 2015 but in the end its the Lib dems who would have to make that decision---to leave the Tories
Interesting So us #frothers better keep on at the lib-dems

Ed:I would love the coalition to end before 2015 but in the end its the Lib dems who would have to make that decision---to leave the Tories.

Who would be in power if that happened?

I'd like to know whther Ed could take up the cause of pediatric cancer care. One child in 750 is diagnosed with cancer, and treatment involves life changing side effects including: learning disabilities, nerve damage, permanent baldness, infertility, mobility problems... to name a few. Despite this horrendous treatement, survival rates are regrettably low. If this was his child, would it be good enough? In this time of auterity measures, does it make sense to create disabled children, to create a drain on teaching resources (as one local headteacher kindly put it to me).

We have, despite the cuts etc, blah blah, a world leading health system, something to be proud of (on the whole). What would Ed do to focus this great resource on improving treatment and cure rates? A clue: Only 3% of cancer research funding is spent on ALL types of pediatric cancers, including solid and blood cancers. How could he change this?

And if he's not willing to... what can I do?

Agree with KateMiddleton wholeheartedly.

I would like to see something passed in Parliament which results in the ability of deducting CSA payments in the same manor as my student loan is deducted from my salary. When I start a new job, I do not inform anyone and I automatically get deductions from my salary for my student loan (and rightly so). When I attempt to claim CSA however, it can take months (up to eight now and still waiting...) to recieve a payment, or in my case, to discover he has now left that employment so the chase starts again. Do you think this system is in need of a shake up and what are your thoughts on trying to match the CSA service to that of the student loans? This really needs someone to take us out of the dark ages...absent parents should be made to pay.

The Lib Dem's won't break up the coalition. They've got their sweaty little hands on power and that's the way they like.

Ed, were you surprised when the Liberal Demopcrats "got into bed" as it were, with the Conservatives?

I know I was!

Again not a question: Make it attractive to the Lib Dems to end the coalition. Show you are an alternative with real principles. The Lib Dems had principles at the last election that have been dropped in favour of being in government. They have forgotten that there is no point of being in a government that does not act in the interests of the majority. Remind the Lib Dems of what they once hoped to be and offer them an alternative to a Conservative coalition.

I agree with the other posters that I haven't seen much in the way of teeth from Ed Miliband - not demonising teachers etc is fine but not very helpful - rather too woolly. They need your support not a lack of demonisation. They need someone to stand up for them and put their case forward. Not just Union leaders but the party that is meant to represent them.

Get some teeth Labour!

@herbietea

I agree with Alibaba.

I asked this question very early on this thread. Please don't cherry pick the easy to answer questions. Please tell us what the Labour Party would do if they were in Government.

Hi Herbietea,
I'm sure that Ed will get to your question but of course he has to start somewhere. Please be reasonable and remember our webchat rules. Thanks .

@MyRealName

I would like to be a labour voter, but if there was an election tomorrow I would struggle to bring myself to actually vote for a party not knowing what they really stand for. I don't think this is an uncommon view. What will you be doing to make the labour party credible again, and when will you be getting off the fence on a range of issues that affect everyone (the strikes, as one example)?

We stand for a fairer, more equal society. In my conference speech, I talked about how we needed to build a different, more responsible capitalism, where the top 1% don't see runaway rewards, while the 99% are squeezed, where there is hope for the next generation, and where people feel their values are reflected in the way our country runs.

Let me give you one very clear example: the Tory-led government cuts tax credits to pay for youth jobs, we said we would have taxed the banks to pay for it. Across countless areas, we see that type of unfairness....

Forgot to add hearing loss to those 'side' effects above.
Ed, please please reply. It is so very important.

Eagerly awaits answer to Firefly2's question about the CSA...

'does it make sense to create disabled children, to create a drain on teaching resources '

You realise you just referred to my children as a drain on teaching resources?

Shame, we've experience of cancer (survival anot) and it was a great question until you completely offended me. Cheers.

What do you think of the Leveson Inquiry? Should the regulation of the press change?

LMAO @ Herbie

True.

Not my words. The words of a headteacher in the local primary. I was equally offended, I can assure you.