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 )

Laughing at the randomness!

Giggling at Sue's picture. Good effort Sue!

Russell what are your views on the further upcoming strikes by frontline NHS staff? Do you think striking works?

I'd like to know if Russell even lives in the UK? Or is he only here to fill up his pockets, because he knows he has no chance preaching the same message in America.

I'd like to know if Russell even lives in the UK? Or is he only here to fill up his pockets, because he knows he has no chance preaching the same message in America.

I'd like to know if Russell even lives in the UK? Or is he only here to fill up his pockets, because he knows he has no chance preaching the same message in America.

Ok, don't ask him 3 times that would be weird (why did that happen? )

Encouraging people not to vote is handing the election to UKIP. Because they will get their people out regardless. Is this what you want to happen?

And a supplementary to Mumsnet HQ- why are you giving air time to this misogynist lightweight?

So, Russ, do you put as much passion and preparation into your political views and endeavours parklife as you do to the making of prank calls to rape crisis lines as part of your stage shows? and which of these do you think provides most entertainment to the masses and promotion of you, the Brand?

MN - seriously? I mean, seriously?

THIS ISNT A QUESTION! Hullygully's first 'question' wasn't one, it was a musing, a rhetorical one, wasn't it love

is the convo going to be punctuated with Parklife though?

This is a question.....

Russell, you are loved and hated in equal measure, by young and old alike. Giving how erudite, spiritual and loquacious, with a proper sense of right and wrong, wouldn't you be perfect to move into politics? Would this fit with you and what you do, or would you rather shout from the stands and cause a stir, a better Bob Geldof, making a stand for the majority of us.
You'd definitely get a lot of votes and support.

I hope not here, it must have been said a bajillion times.

Woah this looks like it could be going the way of Naomi Wolf.
I can understand the cynicism, given that a peaceful revolt brought about by extreme right wing ending up in power to aggravate the majority into rebelling by non-payment of mortgages and taxation is ...naive at best.
However I am not myself putting all my future earnings including proceeds from the book to good causes. Nor am I setting up those worse off than me to run a cafe or juice bar or what have you.
That is more than most can be arsed to do, whether worth 9 mill in their own right or not. Being accused of hypocrisy for not giving away everything is understandable but do we know anyone who has literally done that?
He has said he is looking for redemption regarding misogyny. I am not sure he will find it here. Regarding promiscuity however the last time I looked women were in charge of their own bodies and could therefore decide whether to have a one night stand or not.

My question:
How can you genuinely think not voting galvanizes change when seen recently in the Scotland referendum it was the young voters who were the ones actually opting for change/independence? Non compliance by spoilt votes, protest votes or non-voting won't rock the status quo or overthrow anyone if only the under 25s are doing it surely? How are you going to encourage a 40 something with three dependants to throw away their voice that women died for, whilst defaulting on a mortgage, debts and taxes?
No parent is going to make themselves and their children intentionally homeless so the idea that if we all en masse just say....not paying any more...is naive at best. I think your manifesto as a free e-book would have linked better with this non-payment stance incidentally

Im laying flat on my back on the filthy bench.

Oh yes sireee

Richard Brand, I remember first catching you on Big Brother's big mouth, with your long mic. What do you think of Big Brother now after all these years? Bit trashy, non?

I think the 'filthy bench folk' should get a webchat of their own.

Ooh fuck. Russell Brand*

Does Russell Brand actually do chat then? I rather thought he just ranted without letting the other party get a fucking word in edgeways.

Too fond of his own voice by far, that one.

Can I ask what Russell has done to be labelled a misogynist? Serious question! (I'm new to him, having only started to take notice of him lately with his Trews/political stuff.)

Can we not have the ex presenter of Big Brother's Big Mouth on here and just carry on talking amongst ourselves because it is very entertaining.

Ah, I have realised I don't actually know anything about Le Brand except he is passing attractive and has vaguely spoken out against The Man. Them's the bits I like. I thought "trews" meant his trousers and never heard of parklife. I think that might render my zeugma invalid. Goodness how sad.

Anyway, anyone who stands up and says things are shit and unfair is ok in my book.

Russell, can you use your Twitter platform to shine some light on the corruption of the Australian Prime Minister?
He is on the board of a prestigious school and a one-off never-awarded-before-or-since scholarship was awarded to his own daughter.
The young female whistleblower who alerted us to this is now on trial and PM Tony has gotten away with it.
It's highly disturbing. And unfair. More info here: m.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-defends-his-daughter-frances-scholarship-20140522-38rr5.html