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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.

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MNHQ

Questions for David Cameron

272 replies

mumsnet · 23/02/2006 08:19

We know what he thinks about education, the economy and Europe, but what about the really important stuff? Like how many nappies, exactly, has he changed in the last two weeks? And does young Arthur favour a three-in-one travel system, or a rugged off-roader? You can find out the answers to these and other pressing questions (and tell him what you think of all that tummy-patting) next Monday lunchtime when David Cameron visits Mumsnet to give his first interview since the birth of his third child. David will be online from 12.45pm. You can post advance questions for him here.

OP posts:
Caligula · 27/02/2006 10:26

Another one. What is your party's policy on dealing with Domestic Violence? Rates of prosecution and conviction are low, and punishments are derisory. Plus, in cases of family breakdown, mothers are often forced by the family courts to allow sole contact to fathers who have a history of domestic violence, even where the child is unwilling to have contact take place. What is your party's policy on this?

Flossam · 27/02/2006 10:26

If we have posted on here will the questions from this thread be selected to ask DC on the new 'proper thread'? Or do we need to copy and paste! MN?

zippitippitoes · 27/02/2006 10:27

think they are starting to choose questions which will be from here and the new thread

FairyMum · 27/02/2006 10:29

Uwila, I so so agree with you!

alpha · 27/02/2006 10:30

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but after last weeks mention in the news about the care for premature babies in London I was wondering if David Cameron thought the present levels of care for premature babies was satisfactory, and if not how he thought it could be improved?

butterflymum · 27/02/2006 10:30

David, in the past you have actively supported the issues of adequately and accurately testing for Group B Strep during pregnancy and treating same, as and when appropriate, at delivery. Indeed, you were at the forefront of EDM's on these issues. As leader of your party now, I realise you may no longer be able to become involved in supporting EDM's but do you intend to continue to raise/further the issue of Group B Strep through other means?

Freckle · 27/02/2006 10:31

The government doesn't have to pay SAHP from taxpayers' money. Simply take less from the breadwinner in the first place. Transfer the tax allowance of the SAHP to the earning parent. Lower the taxable limit. Virtually half of everything my dh earns goes to the government in one form or another. Life would be a lot easier if the government didn't take so much. So Uwila, your taxes would not be subsidising SAHPs.

FairyMum · 27/02/2006 10:32

Freckle, we all want to pay less taxes. Should we pay more taxes because we both work or do I misunderstand you?

dottee · 27/02/2006 10:34

Hi David

I think you'll know where I'm coming from on this one.

I split with my ex partner last autumn and we've just about got near to sorting things out. What's made life hard is that I'm a full time carer of my daughter who has got CP and complex learning difficulties. Whereas some people would say I've got a good deal out of the split, life is going to be very tough over the next few years. To summarise:

I'm having difficulty in finding a job which would raise our level of living - I did apply for one with a national charity connected with CP but didn't even get to interview stage because I was honest enough to say I'd do the bestI could but would struggle through school holidays.

Because I'm a single stay at home mum now on benefits (and don't forget a full time carer helping the Government save nearly £60bn - I think that's the figure quoted - per year), no lender is interested in helping me remortgage and downsize. My existing lender has been very good and agreed to transferring the mortgage into my name but has made the condition that ex partner remains as covenant until I can buy him out. So I'm stuck here whether I like it or not.

It's a large house with a big mortgage so the only option I have is to tighten our belts, keep my fingers crossed and knuckle down to paying this blessed mortgage. My daughter's DLA is included in the income and with everything put together, I think we'll scrape through with £300 pcm surplus for food, fuel, clothing and leisure.

I only wish there was a system where I could take a job with lesser hours (and not loose my ICA or child tax credits). I am willing to work but can't at the moment see anyway that I could without penalising myself more or driving myself into ill health. I have been thinking about taking a little weekend job for luxury money whilst my children are with their dad but whatever I earn doing it will be taken off me. I'm stuck - help!!!

I also would like to see Society in general giving carers a better deal i.e. understanding that they have restrictions and being flexible (and respectful of the long hours they are obliged to put in as carers).

It brought it home to me how hard it would be for me to work when my daughter was admitted into hospital the week before last. She had the flu bug going around but was admitted for a few days as she couldn't understand why she had to try and keep medicine down. Of course I had to be with her. Luckily my mum was over and she looked after my son. You'll know all about life balancing and caring, won't you?

Freckle · 27/02/2006 10:46

Why would you have to pay more tax? Your taxes currently subsidise childcare for a large number of parents. If lower taxes for single income families means that children do not have to be placed in nurseries, etc., more taxes would be freed up for other things. There would be no need for you to pay more.

drosophila · 27/02/2006 10:54

Hi, have you or will you give your child the MMR? Will you ensure parents will have a choice of single jabs?

uwila · 27/02/2006 10:56

Freckle, I'm not really arguing against what you are proposing. In the US, you can claim people as dependants (yourself, spouse, children, etc.) and that reduces your taxes a bit. If you are saying that your DH's tax should be reduced a bit to account for that, I don't have a problem with that.

But, I do have a problem with people who want to stay home and require other people's money (i.e. benefits) because they prefer to stay home with their child and not go to work. I'm not talking about people who are unable to work, but those who could and choose not to.

Treating the family as a single unit, as you describe, is different and I am not so opposed to that.

uwila · 27/02/2006 10:57

Fairymum Grin Never thought anyone on here would agree with me.

FairyMum · 27/02/2006 10:58

Freckle, I don't see it as my taxes subsidising childcare for a large number of parents. I see it as my taxes paying for public goods. We all pay for public transport, schools, hospitals even if we don't use it all. I would pay double. Not would we get any tax breaks nor do we get any of these subsidies you are talking about. We pay a fortune for our childcare. If you did subsidise childcare for me, then I would be the last one to complain about some of my taxes going towards paying for parents who have opted for another solution. I am just not sure if this is a good economic solution. Don't we need more tax payers and not less?

Freckle · 27/02/2006 10:59

That's my point, Uwila. Don't give me more money to stay at home. Just take less so that I'm not forced to work and pay someone else to look after the child/ren I chose to have.

elliott · 27/02/2006 11:06

Why can't I see the posts in the 'live chat with David cameron' thread?

kama · 27/02/2006 11:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

uwila · 27/02/2006 11:08

I think they aren't turning it on until 12:45. But, presumably mumsnet is posting some messages there already, as I can see them in preview mode.

Caligula · 27/02/2006 11:08

Where is the "live chat" thread? Is it up yet?

Caligula · 27/02/2006 11:08

Sorry x posted

meysey · 27/02/2006 11:09

Dear David

Will you do anything to promote part-time working for higher-qualified women? I know so many women who have valuable qualifications and experience - lawyers, PR, medics, businesswomen etc. They do not want to abandon their children to full-time childcare, but can't find part-time work. There seems no easy way of finding out what firms will taken on part-timers (as opposed to firms allowing existing workers to return part-time). The country is missing out on a large resource. The only part-time jobs advertised are for things like cleaners, teaching assistants etc - important jobs but not right for everyone.

Caligula · 27/02/2006 11:10

Yes yes yes meysey. Please ask that one Mumsnet. Lobby lobby lobby Grin

zippitippitoes · 27/02/2006 11:11

What would you do to make politics a more attractive career for a broader range of people?

Caligula · 27/02/2006 11:11

Dear David have you done the would you have been a nazi test.

Sorry, now I'm getting over-excited.

dottee · 27/02/2006 11:13

Can I just add that when I went to the DWP to trigger off all the benefits, it was necessary for me to see the job seeking officer - as all claimants now how to do that.

As I approached him he was very apologetic and said he felt he shouldn't be seeing me as I am a full time carer, but was obliged to follow Government guidelines etc.

He asked me my qualifications and work history (prior to my daughter being born) and input the information onto the system. He commented that if I didn't have caring responsibilities, I would probably now be able to walk into a well paid job. Yes I do feel very frustrated at the system.

I don't feel bad about my family predicament. My daughter (and son who is fine) came along and I adore them. People ask how I cope and my reply is I have no choice but to cope. But I wish I was in a better position to support them financially. We are living from day to day at the moment.