Boris Johnson webchat, TODAY, Mon 16 Apr, 11.30am-12.30pm

[FrancesMumsnet]

In the run up to the London Mayoral elections in May, we're very pleased to announce that Boris Johnson will be joining us for a webchat on Monday 16th April from 11.30am to 12.30pm. In May 2008, Boris was elected the first Conservative Mayor of London. He was the MP for Henley-on-Thames from 2001 to 2007, and held the posts of Vice Chairman, Shadow Minister for the Arts and Shadow Minister of Higher Education.

Do please join us for the webchat. Boris is keen to hear your views and to answer your questions. As ever, if you can't make it, please post up your advance questions here.
Thanks, MNHQ

@MissAnneThrope

Hmm, re rape crisis centres - your original, but now deleted manifesto promised £744K per year to fund them. In fact, they're only getting £466K a year - when are you going to give them the missing 280K per year that they so desperately need?

Thanks MissAnneThrope

I accept that people wanted more cash, but we are in very tough times and obviously i would rather make sure that we have the coverage

Obviously I will now be making sure that we continue to fund the centres and I would argue that I will be in much the best position to get the cash we need from government

We live in London and it is a fourteen year old with the zip card. You don't provide free transport as you state, sorry Boris!

what are you going to do to maintain links with other main cities in the UK- Birmingham, Coventry, Manchester, Leeds, which can bring London investment and vice versa. As the nations largest city we also have a responsibility to help other cities prosper too. So, if I vote for you, how will your office be not only good for London but good for the UK??

ARE YOU GOING TO TELL US YOUR FAVOURITE BISCUIT?

Come on. This is important stuff.

@jonnybristol

what's your favourite biscuit Boris?

Chocolate Digestive

@debsdrew

Why does the word "childcare" not appear in your manifesto?

We have not yet finished the manifesto! One of the good things in the economy chapter was a commitment to help mothers back into work by setting up a new £25m fund for part-time jobs

We reckon we can help create 20,000 part time jobs in the GLA group alone

I am also going to champion part-time jobs with London's private sector - on the lines of the Living Wage campaign

But 20mph across London would make the most difference - not helmets!

@TheBlackShiksa

As the number of young black unemployed men hits 50% in the UK, what as mayor will you be doing to help get more black men into work? Figures have also shown that women are going to hit hardest by the recession, and black women more so, as I black person I find it difficult to even contemplate voting for a Tory mayor, why should I vote for you?

Because I have a plan to create 200,000 jobs over the next four years that will benefit all Londoners. It rests on maintaining investment in transport, housing, local high streets and the Olympic legacy. The best way through tough times is jobs and growth.

I will also create 100,000 apprenticeships that will be open to all, enabling young Londoners to get into work.

But we all recognize that black boys in particular are at risk from being left behind. That?s why I have a specific plan to help them. My mentoring scheme for black boys aged 11-16 will match the most difficult cases with adult mentors who will help them with their school work and lead away them from catastrophic choices and into jobs.

Ach, if that's the case, it might have been better to front it out, instead of deleting your manifesto. That rather makes it look as though you were trying to cover your tracks and hope we didn't notice, shifty-like ;)

Hi Boris,

Thanks for answering my question. You mentioned your manifesto; where can I find it and what's the key part of your 9 point plan?

Plain or milk chocolate?

@poppyseeds99

Hi Boris,

Thanks for answering my question. You mentioned your manifesto; where can I find it and what's the key part of your 9 point plan?

www.backboris2012.com/manifesto

@SarahStratton

Hullo Boris, I think you are gorgeous. A kiss would be lovely

My question is: What preparations have you made for a Zombie Apocalypse, and what do you have in your OFRS?

Thank you x

Dear Sarah Stratton and all who have asked about the Zombie Apocalypse

All I can say that we are making every effort to ensure that the Zombie Apocalypse does not happen, and certainly not during the Olympic and Paralympic Games

I am told by the security services that the risk of the Zombie Apocalypse and indeed all other disasters has been downgraded from severe to substantial

But we are never complacent.

At the Beijing Olympic closing ceremony, you kept shoving your hands in your pockets. Please don't do that at this one.

Don't worry about the hair. Just think "hands, not in pockets. cakewench told me so."

I don't live in London but I think the ladies who do have raised some good and proper points with you today. Please excuse my silly one. ;)

"Substantial" is still alarming,though.

Thanks, you can be on Team Stratters, Boris

oh goodness, I can't even wink at the man properly. Here's another try:

Boris, tip, put a mirror and hairbrush in your of rucksack!

Didn't get a kiss :(

@SarahStratton

Plain or milk chocolate?

I am sorry that we haven't yet given you enough detail on the biscuit question

The important point about a chocolate digestive is that it combines the temptation of the chocolate with the nourishment of the wholemeal biscuit pabulum stuff

Each biscuit delivers on that promise, time after time, until you get to the bottom of the packet

It is about consistency and reliability

It does what it says on the packet

That is the essence of my commitment to London

I will keep my promises - just as I have been able to keep them over the last four years, and i hope i can count on your support

Hi Boris
I read your guest blog post where you mention steps you?ve taken to ensure ?our children can play outside?. On top of planting street trees, and restoring green spaces ? would you commit to protecting those green spaces too? The QEII Fields Challenge gives councils the opportunity to protect parks & pitches forever but sadly it hasn?t had as much take up in London as elsewhere. Would you take it up as a mayoral pledge?

ps, people here would be v excited about your biscuit comments. I shall pass them on.

Brilliant biscuit answer - Gordon Brown take note!