Webchat with Guardian columnist Zoe Williams, Thursday, 9 April, 1-2pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Guardian columnist Zoe Williams is joining us on Thursday at 1.00pm for a webchat. In her latest book Get it Together: Why We Deserve Better Politics she ponders over some key issues: Why can’t you buy a house? Will your kids be able to afford to go to university? Has the NHS had its day? Zoe appeals for everyone to play their part in creating a more equal society and states: "if you have a full-time job and still worry about shelter, food and warmth, then there is something wrong with your employer, your housing market, your food supply, your utilities ownership structure, or most likely all four".

Zoe's book offers a provocative, unique and very funny critique of the world and the future we're making for ourselves. Join her for a webchat on Thursday between 1 and 2pm or if you're unable to join us at that time, post a question to this thread in advance.

Can she find MN Towers (just saying from a recent talk she did..) ?

Whoops, missing

I have no questions but love her articles so marking place :)

I too feel the Zoe Williams love. I love her even more since she quoted my Twitter account in the Graun. But of course I'm only here for the social justice.

Hi Zoe, we fall into the category you mention and both have full time jobs. We do however live in London. We have been told the solution is to move out of London to somewhere more affordable. But we have family in London. Is this really the only solution?

Hi Zoe thanks for coming, I enjoy your articles.

I agree with the premise of building a fairer, more equal society, but how can we start to do that when so much of the current political debate is focussed on perception rather than reality (& cold hard facts) and there are such high levels of apathy?

Hello Zoe

Would you concede that Guardianistas* expect the moon on a stick from the current Labour party? There seem to be endless calls for highly progressive positions on immigration, income tax, environmental policies, welfare/benefits policies etc, but no acknowledgement that the electorate simply doesn't vote for parties who espouse those positions - and Labour can't do a thing about anything if it doesn't get elected.

Asking you this because I saw you wrote a highly critical article about the 'racist immigration Labour mug' (not your words). Don't you see that if Labour adopted the immigration line you'd prefer, they'd lose ALL their marginal seats to UKIP/Tories?

There seems to be a sort of magical thinking that characterises much of the metropolitan left. We'd all like (me as much as anyone) to live in a country where everyone believes in progressive tax, generous social safety nets and the glories of multicultural high-migration populations, but we don't, and endless slagging off of Labour on Twitter won't make it so.

(Sorry for the rant )

• Not meant as a term of abuse - just shorthand for urban progressive types who are to the left of the current Labour position but don't seem to spend too much time thinking about how difficult it is to actually get elected...

Do you ever think about moving to Scotland? We'd love to have you.

I did not know you had a book out, Zoe. Hopefully DH knows. Will give him some hints as well

No questions here, but I also enjoy your articles.

Speak for yourself DoubleMs.

Hi Zoe, are you a regular Mumsnetter?

And, just as an aside HQ, I'd love it if we ever had a webchat with someone who just wants to come and chat for the hell of it and not sell a book or fish for votes. Unlikely to happen, I know.

I am pregnant and stuck for baby names. Other than the names of your two kids (which are fab) which names were on your shortlists that you can bequeath me please.

I wish I could join you but it's during work hours. Another fan here. But I bet you're a MNetter, Zoe!

Another one who likes much of your work, but doesn't have an actual Q to ask.

Have some and while I think.

I was looking at your wiki entry and was surprised to learn via this route that a Zoe Williams is the TV Gladiator 'Amazon'. I always thought that that soubriquet was reserved for Sharron Davies.

Do you approve of Gladiators recycling names? I was shocked.

Like this I was.

Perhaps it's a metaphor for social decay or something that's definitely George Osborne's fault.

Zoe I have three daughters. One of the things that worries me most for their future is the way in which our society attacks female self esteem. I think the most important thing I can do for them is support them in feeling happy in their own skin. What do you think about this?

Zoe, thanks so much for coming on. I'm rattling through your book which is gripping and I have recommended it to a few friends already. You talk about the lack of defining impetus from the left and a lot of in-fighting - do you blame Ed Miliband for this lack of focus?

Hi Zoe,

Your book sounds brilliant, really looking forward to reading it.

I noticed you talk about low earners being forced out of London. What major changes do you think could turn around this trend and make housing more affordable?

Thanks!

Hi Zoe,

I heard your interview on London Live and my ears pricked up at the mention of internships. As a graduate from 2014 that worked hard to gain eight internships (to date), I can't see a way to complain about the poor treatment when it's implied that there are droves of people lined up to replace you if you can't stick it out; and there are. I also thought internships would be a way forward to gain entry into my chosen career path but they haven't proved successful. What happens when you've supposedly gained the 'right amount' of experience but can't get a job? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the way forward for young people trapped in the internship cycle of free work and barely-there expenses.

Thank you

Hi Zoe, love your columns, couple of questions for you

1. Do you think that the rising university fees in the UK and especially the US could work like a housing bubble and burst, if enough young people decide that the cost isn't worth it, or else take their "custom" to Scandinavia and the Netherlands?

1. What does the Q in your twitter handle stand for? Is it Quentin?

Hi Zoe - you are one of my favourite columnists.

I haven't read your book yet, but my question is - how do we make a left-wing party electable in this country? How do we persuade people that social justice is best for everyone?

I feel the problem with Labour at the moment is they are trying to please everyone, and in the end they might end up pleasing no-one. They don't lean left enough for a lot of their supporters, and they are trying to attract the kind of voters who are in favour of austerity and cuts to the welfare budget.

Hi Zoe! Thanks for joining us today

On the subject of internships - your colleague Hadley Freeman recently quoted Geoff Dyer on his choice not to have children:

'...he says in his delightfully angst-free essay that the thought of having “to make calls to friends at the Guardian or Faber & Faber about a possible internship” for his hypothetical child put him off parenthood for good.'

I also feel unwell when I think about what the media is going to look like in the next 10-20 years, when the people whose parents had contacts/live in London will likely be proportionally over-represented. Is this something that you think about too?

What can be done to hold politicians to account for outright lies told to gain votes?

Farage in the leaders debate quoted stats that have been shown to be totally wrong (the AIDS numbers for starters).

How is it that he can say something, yell "it's a fact" over and over again when it isn't actually true at all?

How come it isn't fraud to tell lies in order to win votes in an election?

Hi everyone! I'm a bit early. This is specifically to stick it to the person who thought I'd never find Mumsnet Towers.
*When I say "stick it to", what I actually mean is, "say hello to"
xxx

hello! Welcome.....