Live webchat with Baroness Glenys Kinnock, Monday 14th May, 12noon

[FrancesMumsnet]

Hello

We're very pleased to announce that Baroness Kinnock will be joining us for a live webchat on Monday 14 May from 12:00-13:00.

Baroness Glenys Kinnock is the Shadow International Development Minister in the House of Lords. She previously served as Minister of State for Africa and the UN. She's married to former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, and together they have a son, a daughter and three grandchildren.

Baroness Kinnock is one of Save the Children's parliamentary champions and a key supporter of the No Child Born to Die campaign. She's backing the campaign's push to end global hunger, an issue which is high on the agenda at the G8 Summit next week. Currently 300 children die every hour of every day because they can't get enough nutritious food to eat, and Glenys, along with Save The Children, is calling on G8 leaders to break the chains of hunger for millions of children - find their petition here.

Glenys is very happy to answer any questions you might have on global hunger; or on her work in the House of Lords, her political career to date - or British politics more generally. Do post them here if you can't join us on Monday.

MNHQ

I have had a look on the Save the children website and signed the chain letter.

I just wanted to say I really think the labour Party could do with Neil Kinnock now!

Lots of things I'd like to ask so will be back later.

What are your thoughts on House of Lords reform?

I think Glenys is fab. Will think of something intelligent to ask.

Regarding "House of Lords reform" I would of thought any true democracy would not tolerate a non elected veto shop? Still, none of us voted for a coalition, so maybe it fits ATM.

Say hi to your granddaughter. We were behind you once on a plane to tenerife and my daughter was smiling at her and they were admiring each other's hand luggage.

Do you think the trading in futures is responsible for much of the hunger in the world?

What, in your opinion, is the single most important Key factor we, in Britain, should be concentrating on changing, in order to eliminate child poverty?

Blimmin'eck, Royalty.
I will have a good think - but my first thought is about Labour's prospects. Can you see similarities and/or differences between your potentiates leaderships?

Sorry that was rude - meant also to say, thanks very much for coming on!

I am working so cannot join the live chat. But my question is quite long- 'Some causes of poverty include the after-effects of colonisation, corruption within some countries, the propensity of transnational corporations to move production to countries with few (if any) employment laws to keep labour costs down, the fact that many poor countries have to repay debts, lack of free education (especially for girls), civil war and in some cases overdependence on (well-meaning) aid.
Which elements of these issues (if any) do Save the Children address, what are they asking the G8 to do and what one factor would Glenys identify as being central to reduce and eventually elimate poverty?'

I would LOVE an answer Glenys. This conumdrum makes my brain hurt and I would like to know where to focus my own energies (e.g. in Save the Children?).

Thanks in anticipation....!

OOps that is 3 ques (only just read guidelines)- you decide which one to answer.
Mumsnet- please keep the webchat posted so I can read it when I get home.

Hi Glenys.

Have 'career politicians' destroyed the Labour Party?

I think they have but if you disagree why do you think it isn't important for people to have experienced a real job prior to entering the House of Commons.

Thanks.

Following on from KlickKlackknobsac's ideal - what can everyday people and families do to help, other than give more money? I constantly get the message that real helping is for 'other people' (and certain not for children), but we can do our part by handing over cash. It's very frustrating to hear about all the things going wrong and not be able to do anything about it. My kids and I would love to be able to do something useful, but there aren't any obvious avenues any more. All the volunteering opportunities I did as a child seem no longer options and when my kids have asked to volunteer, the only option they get is cleaning up parks when really they want to help and be with people.

I had a dream about her the other night where she was a cross between Angela Merkel and a Sith lord. She was project director, and I was project manager for a project to make realistic looking fake rocks in a secret military base.

On a separate note, what are her opinions on the illegal occupation of the Western Sahara by Morocco, the generation of Saharawi children being brought up in refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, and what can she do in her position to help find a peaceful solution.

Thanks.

(Sorry about the dream, I have some really weird ones! It's nothing personal!)

I read an article a couple of days ago about millions of tons of wheat rotting in India as they dont have sufficient warehouses to store it and "economists say selling the grain to the poor at subsidized prices is not a viable solution because it would expand the fiscal deficit."

This to me is disgusting when we know there are people around the world starving. Surely there is a solution to get this food to the people that need it?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Link here for anyone who is interested.

Hello Glenys, I won't be able to join you live as I'll be at work.

My question is:

I always felt that the famous falling-in-the-sea moment really damaged Neil's political career, and he knew it as soon as it happened, because of the power of a vindictive right-wing press. I thought then that there was too much glee about destroying a good man in politics - it was a bit frightening. Do you think that Levenson is changing things for the better?

Hello Glenys, and thank you for coming on to do a web chat.
There are some excellent questions already, and I have a lighthearted one so please put it to the bottom of the pile!
Did you watch Borgen on BBC4 recently, and if so how do you think the fictional Danish PM compares to the real one, your daughter-in-law Helle Thorning-Schmidt?
I loved the programme and am looking forward to a trip to Denmark later this year.

haha KikkiK
great question

I won't be able to join the chat either, as I'm working.

My question is about sexism/feminism. I find it very depressing that young women these days seem, increasingly, to be defining themselves in terms of their appearance. The whole celebrity/WAG culture seems to be overwhelming - and much more dominant than when I was in my late teens/early twenties. And I worry very much about men's attitudes to women as a part of this/a consequence (?) of this.

What do you think we can do to encourage all girls to value themselves for what they are and have to offer beyond a pretty face and a pert set of boobs?

And how, especially, can we educate boys to value women in this way, and to see beyond their physical attributes?

I am particularly moved to ask about this, given the recent rape case involving Ched Evans, and the whole furore that this provoked - and the very depressing phenomenon of women supporting him, and claiming that he was not a rapist. (I realise that the whole issue of rape and what construes consent is another massive issue, but I think they are inter-related)

Another quick one, related to the Save The Children campaign.

I have some Tory acquaintances who are increasingly vociferous and confident in their argument that, in this economic climate, aid to the developing world is a luxury 'we' can't afford.

I've failed in appealing to their morals - how can I appeal to their self-interest?

Hello Glenys

When we became involved in Afghanistan, one rationale which was consistently put forward was that we had a moral duty to rescue girls and women from the subjection and effective slavery in which they lived under the Taliban.

Now, as the West prepares to leave Afghanistan, that argument has been quietly dropped.

It seems pretty clear that, once we leave, the kind of state-sponsored gender terrorism which previously existed will soon become the norm again; I feel sick to think that we're abandoning these girls, to whom we've given false hope.

What is your position, and what if anything can be done?

Hi Glenys,

I read an article Neil wrote about a year ago in which he was completely furious with 'gutless' anonymous anti-Ed briefers in the Labour Party. Are you an Ed fan? And what's your take on the briefers (who seem to have gone a bit quiet now that EM 'has Cameron on the run' )

Apologies - I realise my question is a bit off brief. Just particularly exercised by the issue at the moment!

Hello Glenys! Your husband taught my brother rugby at London Welsh!

So, my question: I hear more and more people argue that aid is pointless because endemic corruption means so little of it gets where it's needed. What can be done to counter this narrative? What's the best way of delivering aid so that it gets to the people who need it, and who will use it for the benefit of their entire community?

Hi Glenys

My question is about the 0.7% GDP contribution to aid. In my idealistic youth I was all for it - how could it be a bad thing? B

ut now I hear reports of aid agencies having too much money (and therefore not being efficient) and aid not reaching the right people. Wouldn't it be better to just meet the need that's there than stick to an arbitrary figure that some say has lead to bigger aid orgs becoming slightly bloated?