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 )

@NickAngel

Hi, I've been listening to Fivelive this morning as Justine Greening talked about Syria etc Have you thought about revolution and change to 'elite' structures having a catastrophic effect and have you consudered deploying your talents in a more global diplomacy to remedy existing crises?

The solutions I believe in are localised. But I've often said, we have more in common with the people we're bombing that the people we're bombing them for.

Russell, of course you want something from us. You want our attention, for a start.

@Mouthfulofquiz

I find it really weird that a famous person could be on the Internet at the same time as me!! Hi Russell! My two year old is currently wigging out because I won't let him eat a fridge magnet. And I was wondering as an aside, do you have a favourite children's book?

The Selfish Giant.

I'm going to ask this and then leg it before I get told off for hogging Russell's attention.
I don't suppose you get this much Russell... But will you marry me?

Hear hear Tweasels!

It's great your standing up for working class people, what can we do to help, but I can't go to protests as I have a young child x

Doesn't Russell like to talk about his acting or is he just here to promote his book?

Sorry, I'm late to the party. What's your favourite biscuit?

Hi, You said you're thinking a lot about books (Morrissey quote) - What are reading?

I'll repeat my question as it had got lost:

Mark Steel and Mark Thomas have been comedians active in revolutionary politics for years, and have managed without sexist bullying. Do you enjoy their work and think they could have something to teach you?

@muminthecity

Hello Russell

one of the major downsides to being famous appears to be the fact that you can't truly escape the past as you are constantly judged and criticised for things which happened years ago. Do you find this difficult? How do you get people to accept that you have changed/moved on and start taking you at face value for who you are today?

What other people think of me is none of my business. Either what I'm saying or doing is truthful and resonates, or it isn't. Social and political movements regardless of how they're perceived, come about as the results of the majority of people.

I agree with you Tweasels

Bye Russ, bye ladies. It's been a blast

Hi, You said you're thinking a lot about books (Morrissey quote) - What are you reading, Russell?

One more question for you to take away and think about

My grandmother was a suffragette. She suffered and fought for the right to vote and have a say in the way the country was run. By telling people not to vote are you suggesting that women should have not bothered and just put up with our status as objects to be traded amongst men? (If you think that's hyperbole, look up women' property rights at the time)

*GreyGardens:

Hiiii Russell!

Do you have a soft spot for dark-haired, sultry, older women who also support West Ham?

Asking for a friend cough

Yes very much. I'm forever blowing bubbles, West Ham forever. Let's run away from all this.*

Ohhh. She's gone all blushy at her desk. And she's all like 'thanks v much'.

As you were

@TheJiminyConjecture

Russell, what do you believe is the biggest problem for the Great British public; misinformation by the media or misrepresentation by those who purport to represent us?

I think it's being told that we can't change our systems. Once we believe change is possible, then we can begin to create a new story together.

Thanks for all of your questions. I feel the most important thing was we finally cleared up the raging debate about whether or not penguins are biscuits, they are.

Before you go Russell, thank you for posing with a No More Page 3 tee. That gave massive publicity to the campaign x

Thanks massively for answering my question, and apologies for spelling "Morrissey" incorrectly. Maybe "The cat that saw too much" could be a good book?

Love and peace. X

CoffeeFirst look on his fb page, there's a pic of all he's reading at the mo x

wow thank you Russell - I have a 3 year old boy who has your book on his Christmas list already - would love to come along on Friday, thank you!

thanks for the reply, Im "poor" because i am so dissilusioned with the system that i dont want to work anymore and pay tax to these cretins in power. even as i type my mother is screaming at me to rewrite my CV, which in fact isnt the worst as ive been in oil and gas electronics for a few years so would probably be able to find a job. weed was also an issue, i really related to what u had to say about your problems with drugs and have since cut down. if i could be in parliment square tomorrow i would be and stay untill the rev.