Webchat with Miriam González Durántez, Tues 21st April, 11.30 am

[JustineMumsnet]

We're very pleased to say that Miriam González Durántez - international trade lawyer and wife of Nick Clegg - will be joining us for a webchat tomorrow (Tuesday 21st) at 11.30am.

Miriam a couple of years ago, and has spoken a few times about how she was bowled over by the support of Mumsnetters when she was propelled into the public eye five years ago.

She's fitting in some campaigning for some women LibDem MPs over the next few weeks, whilst continuing to practise as Head of EU Trade and EU Relations at law firm Dechert.

We hope you can join us at 11.30 on Tuesday April 21 to talk to Miriam about careers, campaigning, Mumsnet, and the mixed bag that is being a politician's spouse.

(And before you ask... yes, we are working on having all the major party leaders on before the election, and we're not intending to go too far down the spouse route ourselves - but we know that Miriam and MNers are rather fond of each other and think her insights on the campaign might be interesting .)

If you can't make it on the day, do please post up your questions in advance here.'

LineRunner yy I was wondering who was selecting the questions too.

@LineRunner

>

She is selecting but there are a couple of us also pointing out good questions.

Oops x-post with JustineMN

I have asked my question. But if I hadn't, I would like to know why MGD can't vote in the UK.

@Dinnerfourone

Hi Miriam,

I'm not going to be around at 11.30 but wanted to stop in and say how much I admire you.
Working full time, being a mother in the public eye and making time for charity work must be pretty exhausting.

What would be your tips for looking after yourself when juggling so much?

Many posters on here are in the same position, albeit not in the public eye, and the support we get on here and wine and netflix certainly helps.

Thanks for your kind words.
I try my best to take care of myself. And yes, I think women sometimes 'forget' about themselves. I try to run a couple of times a week and I am careful at what I eat. I like cooking a lot and make the point of teaching my children to cook as well. I actually have a cooking blog with my children that I have been running with them for the last three years (when my husband's advisers learn this they are going to freak out!). Just click on www.mumandsons.com and you can get some of the recipes we do.... Now since I am going to be told off for sharing this with you, just promise me that in exchange you will register at the Inspiring Women Campaign (I am going to be watching!). We only ask for one hour per year from every woman - everybody can do it! And I promise you it is a lot of fun.

line, Miriam is not a British Citizen.

Here we go, LineRunner. Same applies to UK citizens elsewhere in the EU. My dad (who lives in the Netherlands) has taken to Twitter to bang on about how unfair he thinks it is, he has lived in the country for nearly 40 years so I see his point!

Thanks for answering my questions Miriam!
Very interesting that you're not able to vote in this country. That really surprises me. Why is that if you don't mind my asking?

I'm not surprised, tribpot.

@TheatreClog

I also think you are an excellent role model. I am often told I shouldn't be doing what I am doing (in terms of career and professional training) because I have a child and I should be putting my child first. Sometimes this gets me down. Do you have any tips on managing this negativity, other than avoiding it (not always possible)?

Thanks for your comment too.
Look, if you spend time thinking about what others think of you, you will not have time to do what you want to do. Do what works for you. Nobody else gives explanations to you about how they run their lives, so why should you give explanations to anybody else about how you run yours?
I spent years trying to justify my decisions to others - but now I am 46, so I know better!
Hope this helps... I know it is not easy...

Do you ever see your family (you, Nick and the boys) moving back to Spain or do you expect to stay in the UK? Do you find our weather miserable, especially in Sheffield?

Any tips for those of us going through elections for the first time as wife/partner of candidates?
(I'm not samcam!)

@woeface

Hello Miriam - thanks so much for coming on, I'm a big fan.

Can I ask whether you watched Channel 4's 'Coalition'? And if so, what did you make of it?!

Thank you!
I only watched the end.... and still think George Clooney would have been a so much better fictional husband!

Thank you for the link to your recipe blog Miriam - I love Tortillas con Camerones, have them every time I see them in Spain and have made them myself before.

@eggsandham

Hi Miriam. I saw you talk at Mumsnet's Blogfest a few years ago and thought you were brilliant. You are obviously a very inspiring person and accomplished speaker. How do you decide which public engagements to take part in? Is your instinct to decline most things and only do what you have to do to support your husband? Or do you enjoy it?

I basically do what I want. Have never had any pressure from anybody including all the Lib Dem advisers to do anything. After I spent the last year and a half getting together women and girls I was asked very often about what can we do to get more women into politics. So I have decided to campaign for some of the Lib Dem female candidates, who are women who defend the political values I have. I wish I could help them all, but there are only so many hours in the day...

For the rest, I have always accepted public scrutiny provided I am not asked to pretend we are a Kellogs family, because we are not one.

And I obviously enjoy the Inspiring Women campaign (and you will too if you register!) so that is not an effort at all.

"Nobody else gives explanations to you about how they run their lives, so why should you give explanations to anybody else about how you run yours?"

I like this Miriam, and think it's a surprisingly freeing life approach to take!

Thanks so much for the webchat. I could not have been any more nervous before coming here, but you have made it really enjoyable (even the tough questions!)

Thank you all for your time and thanks to Mumsnet for the invite.

And remember to register for the Inspiring Women Campaign!

My question was actually about all the very good female lib dem candidates who left the Party post-Rennard, but sadly it has not been selected to be answered.

Thanks for organising, MN, and for coming on, Miriam. Didn't have a question but I thought it was really interesting. And I love this: "Look, if you spend time thinking about what others think of you, you will not have time to do what you want to do. Do what works for you. Nobody else gives explanations to you about how they run their lives, so why should you give explanations to anybody else about how you run yours? I spent years trying to justify my decisions to others - but now I am 46, so I know better!"

Sounds to me like MGD belongs on Mumsnet, can just see her saying: "No is a complete sentence."

Thank you for answering Miriam. It is difficult constantly being asked to justify career/choices. You are right, I don't ask anyone else to explain theirs! I'll also look up the Inspiring Women Campaign. Thanks

Thanks to this thread I've signed up to the Inspiring Women Campaign.

It's been a week and she never got back to me. Oh well