Labour leadership hustings - Webchat with Andy Burnham, Thursday 30 July, 2pm

[BojanaMumsnet]

Hello

We’re pleased to announce the final webchat in our Labour leadership hustings series. Andy Burnham will be joining us for a webchat on Thursday 30 July at 2pm.

Andy was elected MP for Leigh in 2001. In Government, he was Secretary of State for Health, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He was also Shadow Health Secretary under Ed Miliband’s leadership (and in that role ).

During the heated leadership campaign, Andy has warned that Labour is becoming 'frightened by its own shadow' and has had to fight back against allegations of sexism, due to a row about remarks made by one of his supporters.

Please do join us on Thursday at 2pm if you can, or post a question for Andy here in advance if you can’t.

Labour leadership voting is open until Thursday 10 September and the ballot results will be released on Saturday 12 September.

Thanks

MNHQ

[derxa]

Very slow

[AndyBurnhamMP]

@BeyondTheWall

I'm going to ask the same question i asked already, that the others failed to answer

Do you think the proposed coup if JC wins is a good example of democratic process?

A little aside but its amazing how i became very ill from teenage years (leading to severe disability), with a cause not being diagnosed until my very late twenties. Yet without being young enough for the evil hpv vaccine. Weird, eh. But then i had the mmr, so i guess that is to blame for my asd?

I wasn't aware that there was one, but, if there was, then no, it wouldn't be a good idea.

[AndyBurnhamMP]

@SauvignonBlanche

May I ask what you will do to shorten Transplant waiting lists?

Great question and the answer is to redouble our efforts to improve rates of organ donation. I remain of the view that a voluntary system is preferable as long as we can get enough people on the register to provide sufficient donations. But the reality is that many people are left waiting too long and, indeed, die waiting. That is why we shouldn't rule out looking at an opt-out system, such as is being developed in Wales.

[IceBeing]

hmm the 'coup' was reported widely in newspapers. You could have denied it existed or said you were against it...but surely you can't claim no knowledge of the entire concept....

[HowD]

I have a feeling it will be 4/4 avoiding discussing parental financial abuse of children.

[SauvignonBlanche]

Thank you - glad to hear that.

[BeyondTheWall]

icebeing

[AndyBurnhamMP]

@MissDemelzaCarne

Hello,
Why do you think we lost so drastically last election and what will you do differently to avoid being slaughtered again?

Because we weren't trusted on the economy and on immigration. Also, our manifesto was too narrow. The general rule I applied at the election just gone was the longer the drive you were walking down to knock on the door, the less you had to say to the people who answered it.

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello Andy

We've been contacted on Twitter by Your Voice Matters, who are campaigning on neglect and abuse in care homes, and they wanted us to pass on the following message:

'We need a voice for social care, the forgotten partner in care. Andy Burnham is the only candidate interested and has given us time out of his busy schedule twice this year. He feels like the last hope for social care and what we fight for. He has experienced it and understands. Power, money and fear rule our care home sector. Our elderly deserve better, so do exploited care home staff. Families need to know their loved ones are being cared for with dignity and respect. A massive thank you from us for pledging your continued support. Jenny, Ian and Christina"

[IceBeing]

HowD we can start a club for people who got ignored by all 4 candidates

[AndyBurnhamMP]

@Fantasyland

Hi Andy, It seems no one is wanting to tackle the huge problems with the CSA and the unfair charges for resident parents who are being punished for non resident parents choosing not to pay maintenance.

What can be done to help single parents get the correct child maintenance when the non resident parents are self employed and are able to get away with paying nothing despite having assets?

As a dad of three I find it staggering that anyone could wash their hands of financial responsibility of their children. But as you know, some do. We therefore need robust mechanisms to protect single parents. I remain of the view that we need a review into the current system and need to replace it with something much more effective.

[jelliemint]

Like what?

[HowD]

I have a vote and I will use it well. I will give Andy second preference if he commits to overhaul child maintenance financial abuse.

[TheSkyAtNight]

What is your position on market forces within the NHS?

[HowD]

Crossed posts.

You need to sort the self employed and employed by family doers scheme then.

You now have my vote.

[IceBeing]

people don't just wash their hands of financial responsibility...they go to extraordinary lengths involving quitting jobs, taking pay cash in hand and moving around to avoid supporting their children.

[HowD]

My exsil and wife number two help my ex dodge child support. It's the enablers employers too.

[AndyBurnhamMP]

@JeanBillie

I'm curious to know what you think about all the 'sexy eyes'/Bambi stuff.

Hope you don't think it's rude to ask, but I wondered whether it gives you a bit of insight into how female politicians are scrutinised for their looks.... or not?

Thanks

I've never thought of it like that, but it's a good question. I don't think what I get is anything like as insidious as what many of my women colleagues are subject to. But since you've asked, yes, I do find the Daily Mail's obsession with my eyelashes and attempts to claim I dye my hair more than a little odd. For the record I can assure you I have never worn mascara nor purchased a bottle of Just for Men.

[APlaceOnTheCouch]

The general rule I applied at the election just gone was the longer the drive you were walking down to knock on the door, the less you had to say to the people who answered it
Can you clarify what you mean by this? Do you mean you had less to say because they were already on board or do you mean there was no point speaking to them because people with long drives were unlikely to vote Labour because of the economy and immigration? If the latter, then you might want to read a recent MN thread about household income and voting preferences. I'm pretty sure quite a few posters with long drives were committed to voting Labour and/or socialist principles which to be fair isn't necessarily the same thing

[ghostyslovesheep]

Hi Andy

Can you answer the questions around bringing back a universal impartial careers service for young people?

Careers Services have been decimated and the replacements are often non existent, poor quality, or not accessible to all.

[dorisdog]

As a socialist, do you feel that western consumerism, and free market fundamentalism is driving climate change?

[dorisdog]

Aslo, is Malcolm Tucker there, helping to answer your questions? ;-)

[Baddz]

As a life long labour voter who is thoroughly disenchanted with both the party, and with 3 of the leadership candidates....
What would you say to me Andy?
I am horrified that so many labour MPs abstained on the welfare reforms bill vote.
I feel betrayed.

[SolomanDaisy]

Do you regret the approach you took to the welfare bill? Could you have won the leadership by doing something more radical, like resigning from shadow cabinet?

[IceBeing]

doris nice question!