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 )

I cannot tell you all how glad I am that there are some questions relating to Mr Brand's past record on here and that it's not only the fan club getting a voice.

So, you have shared your views on what you are against and what ails this country and society - what do you propose we all do to fix it? In a democratic society.
Will your revolution feature a guillotine? Whose neck/s is/are on the line??
Are millionaires protected from the revolution, hm?

By 'eck, what have we done to deserve this then?

Can't you get a credible person to come here?

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

Hello Russell - I'm not going to buy your book so could you share what you actually believe in and want to achieve? And don't say "revolution" because that's a means to an end, not an end in itself.

I find your attempts to convince people that not voting is a meaningful act both irresponsible and dangerous. Explain how doing this (and almost certainly giving increased power to the far right) is a good idea.

Can we stroke the furry wall together?

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.

I teach young offenders between 13 and 15 years old who feel that society has nothing to offer them. They are in the youth justice system for a variety of reasons but use of drugs is something they all have in common.

If you could give them one message what would it be?

In Scotland 85% of people go out to vote and almost achieve independence.
In Clacton, 36% of people go out to vote and they end up with a UKIP MP.
I have some sympathy with your views about there being nothing worth voting for at the moment, but I cannot disagree strongly enough with your suggestion that not voting is the answer to that. Nature abhors a vaccuum, and if there is one thing we can be sure of it's that there are plenty of scumbags out there who would just love to step up to fill that vaccuum (see above).

I think he revoked his "don't vote" comment....
Not voting will leave us under bloody ukip.

Is it true you use a ghostwriter and if so, who is it?

Do you really think 'real people' cannot read graphs?

Can I assure you that I am an incredibly real person, and I can draw graphs. Woo, check me out. Magical.

muddy

Hi Russell,

I think we are all being exploited, manipulated and repressed in society at the moment but women are affected disproportionately because our bodies are used against us. I'm quite fed up with it.

I'd really like to know whether you agree that the position of women in society is still worse than that of men, and whether this is something you plan to address through political action.

If so, how?

Thanks.

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 ;-)

Muddy, I think your question is the most pertinent posted on this thread yet as it clearly addresses RB's area of expertise

Hi Russell :)
I think the majority of people are fed up of the current economic political system, tired of being lied to, sick of the mind numbing press. I agree we need a revolution, a complete change. But I'm just a knackered knitter, single parent of 5 children - two of whom have special needs - and am just too exhausted with the struggle to have the energy to revolt. The current situation means I am forever lost in fighting for everything my children need, not getting enough sleep, wishing things were different but not able to bring about any kind of change because I am caught up in the system as it stands. And, awful though it sounds, I need the system to keep surviving. A revolution is just too messy
Could you keep it clean please?

My one question:

When 'your people' suggested a webchat with Mumsnet, what did you think it was going to be like?

He has already said re: the voting that he feels voting for one of the three main parties is complicity in a system with which he does not agree. It's like if Hitler and Stalin were asking you to vote for one, which would you vote for?

Oh good question, biwi

That's a bit of a facile comparison, tbh, Laura. I might just as well say that by voting for neither, he'd let in Pol Pot.

Another wondering what on earth MNHQ is thinking?

Would you class yourself as a Marxist? Many of your ideas such as alienation would fit the concepts of Marxism.

Oh fuck it, go on then I'll ask the burning question.

What's your favourite biscuit?

I bet it's a Bourbon Cream

Hello Mr Brand

Are you a feminist?
If not, why not?