Webchat with Russell Brand - Weds 12 Nov - 1 o'clock

[JustineMumsnet]

We're very pleased to say that Russell Brand is joining us on Wednesday 12 November between 1 and 2pm.

For those who don't know, Russell Brand is a comedian, actor and author.

His latest book, Revolution, sets out his views for political change - because, he says, "democracy has been taken away from us".

You might have caught his recent interview on Newsnight, which was widely discussed on the boards.

This is his third book, following My Booky Wook and Booky Wook 2: This Time It's Personal and has just published the first in a new series of children's books Russell Brand's Trickster Tales: The Pied Piper of Hamelin, written by Russell and illustrated by Chris Riddell.

Please do join us on Wednesday - or if you can't, feel free to post questions in advance, here.

(Reminder that we only allow one question and one follow-up per user, so make sure to use yours wisely )

@pockledigg

Are you still a vegan and what's your stance on animal rights?

I'm edging towards veganism - it's quite hard. I've not relapsed on drugs or alcohol for nearly twelve years - occasionally I relapse on a Dairylea triangle.

Hello Russell

My 17 yo DS would like to know would you ever like to be an MP, and for which party?

Both my DC love you, watch TREWs every night and have read your book. I do wish you would stop telling young people not to vote, because they are listening to you, not me. I think it is very important to vote.

Have you ever considered that, perhaps, you are a little too full of yourself?

@Tweasels

Russell, I fucking love you

I nearly met you after the Guardian thing with Owen Jones. I was the chubby lass with long blonde hair who peered into your car when you were parked outside. In my head I wanted to say a million things but as I'm a social twerp I just panicked and blew you a kiss. Idiot I am, I had travelled all the way from Berwick all by myself an all.

I have enjoyed your work from the start and still listen to the radio 6 and 2 podcasts and what most people don't know is you were talking about this revolutionary stuff as far back as 2006, it's not new and it really pisses me off that people think it is some kind of whimsy.

Anyway, actual question: I live up North and feel that it is wrong that all the power and money is held in the capital. I also feel (sorry) that much of your activism is very London centric (fair do's as it's where your from). Do you think we should devolve power and have more regional based politics?

Oh, and Pin Pin! Viva la revolution!

Yes I think we should devolve. I think the more power is concentrated the more it benefits the elite.

Thank you for the 'fucking' love!

I have loved everything you have to say about drugs and abstinence. The revolution stuff, well, I'm not so sure. It's easy to be fed up - I know I am. But do you have any actual solutions?

What are your thoughts on Dapper Laughs being kicked off ITV and his donations rejected by Shelter?

@Newshoesplease

My effing question disappeared before I posted. I watched your recent vice interview and was unimpressed with the interviewer who seemed desperate to mock you. Is it frustrating to be ridiculed when your ideals would benefit the majority of us?

No - ridicule, as Adam Ant said, is nothing to be scared of. The truth is the truth.

By voting you tacitly endorse a system that doesn't represent you - the argument on voting has been had - the important thing now is: what would you vote for? What is about New Labour, the Conservatives, or UKIP that you would like to vote for? It's about re framing the argument. It's not - voting is a necessity - what is the function of that mechanic? Why did people fight for that right to vote? because they wanted to have an impact on power structures. So I'd like to answer that question with a question - who would you vote for and why?

This needs a lot of fine-tuning, Mr Brand, doesn't it? I'd agree that the current system is anachronistic, but lobby-ism does not cure a democratic deficit.
You're aware that your thoughts need a lot of mulling over yet?

@fairyteepee

Hi Russell, your latest book Revolution is an echo of my dads work for the last 10 years and i agree with your call for a revolution.

My question stems from unfortunately seeing a lot of negative responses to your views, do you think enough people will stand up for a revolution when the time comes?

What I've learned about negativity is that it's a self-contained media circuit. The mums that are campaigning on the New Era estate don't feel negative, the mums that are campaigning for homes on the Carpenter estate don't feel negative. The ordinary working people of Britain don't feel negative. The people who are negative are the people who don't want change because they like things the way they are.

I wouldn't call anyone a slag, Tinyminx, but the non-sycophants on here have given me hope.

@BonzoDooDah

Hey Russell I first started listening to you politically when I read your article on dead Thatcher. Up til then you'd seemed all drugs and hairspray - do you think this was a significant turning point in your political public persona and was this a concious decision?

This is the difference between essence and perception. I might have always been like this but people's perceptions have changed.

@Stuckduck1

I understand the point you're making about not voting for the status quo but can't you at least endorse the Green Party?

I think the Green Party are more than capable of running their own political campaigns; I'm more interested in representing the views of the people I grew up with.

Hi Russel. I'm a massive fan and applaud you for standing up for what you believe in. As someone who believes that there should be a revolution, what can I do to get involved?

Hello Russell
You have stated that you are donating profits from your book to ex addicts/people with mental health issues, to establish cafés and community run businesses, I am part a a small group of people in Bath who need funding to do just such. How do we apply for this or get in touch with you?
Ta, Joanna.

ArcheryAnnie it's a Morrissey quote love! I ties it in with your funny post to make Russ smile

Russell, who do you think the elite are?

@fuckingpamela

I'm not going in for the very personal vitriol that people are aiming at you Russell....

I'm feeling more Zen at the moment and would like to ask why you decided to start writing for children?

Wishing you all the best in your new venture ;-)

I started writing for children because I think fairy stories are important moral and ethical codes and I think a lot of the problems we face now are because we're trying to live without a map - we've lost touch with religion and spirituality. And by talking directly to children, there's a possibility of communicating directly with the thing in all of us that understands what it is to be good, and aligned and compassionate, before we get muddled up by adulthood.

I have no interest in making Russ smile, Tinyminx. I'm sure his millions (while he plays with the politics of poor people) make him smile quite enough without me adding to it.

@Squtternutbaush

Hi Russell (that was not a cool, calm hi btw. If I could blush, grin and wave like a twat through the screen I would!) :o

I've been a fan for a while and have watched through various stages in your career from MTV presenter to Big Brothers Big Mouth, stand up comedy to Hollywood and obviously we've seen a fair bit of media coverage along the way.

Your public persona has always seemed hyperactive, erratic and attention loving and I wondered, does this get mentally draining and do you think its contributed to the addictions and inappropriate behaviours you've displayed and dealt with (well done on that BTW!) or was it designed to mask issues already present?

I've always found it hard to believe that people can be so full on all the time and not have a lot of messed up stuff going on behind the scenes.

I'm shit with words so hopefully that made some sense!

Byyeeee

I think it's hard to know which came first. Sometimes I feel that I have a minor mental illness for a living.

@nobodysfool

From a fellow Essex bod (Canvey). I'm not going to ask something about your political views or give you a caining about your life. I would like to ask - what do you miss about living in Essex? If anything. Please be kind as I still have to live here . Thanks for your time.

The people. And the spray tans.

Hi.

You're a controversial comedian... what's your view on Dapper Laughs?

My point about this country is that, when Diana died, lots stood up and there was a massive public outpouring of grief. As change.org shoes too, petitions get us places.

If people were as willing to stand up and be counted for things that matter to us, the common people, we could revolutionise the country. People are either too scared or think they won't make a difference. But so many people already have.

@badgermama

Hmmm...two questions really...

1. You seem to be someone who us unabashed in his love of his mother which is just brilliant to see (Lord knows we get very little positive press and support for our graft ) and how she has contributed to you be what you are today. What do you think she did that is worth other mothers trying to replicate..?

2. My son and daughter's neo-Marxist education is in order, I am more concerned that their father's Hammers support may be genetic. Any advice wholly appreciated.

What my mum did was enveloped me in love and always treated other people with respect - and continues to approach people compassionately and lovingly. And I think we have a tendency to get caught up in the intellect when really what connects us is passion.