MNHQ here: webchat with Harriet Harman MP on Monday 20 February at 1pm

[BojanaMumsnet]

Hello,

We’re pleased to announce a webchat with Harriet Harman MP on Monday 20 February at 1pm.

Harriet was twice Acting Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and she has spent 28 years on the Front Bench. She was elected as MP for Peckham in 1982 and has campaigned for women’s rights, including introducing the National Childcare Strategy, all women shortlists, the Equality Act and changing the law on domestic violence. She was at the forefront of Labour's efforts to reach women voters before the 2015 general election, leading to the infamous 'Pink Bus' being pranged in the MNHQ car park as Yvette Cooper left Mumsnet Towers.

Harriet’s recently published autobiography, A Woman’s Work, included her account of being sexually harassed by at least three men during her career, which hit the headlines (example here and here).

Please do join us on the day - Monday 20 Feb, at 1pm - or if you can’t make it, post a question in advance on this thread.

Please remember our webchat guidelines: one question each, with a follow-up to the webchat guest's response if appropriate; please don't keep posting 'what about me/please answer my question'; and please be civil/polite.

Thanks
MNHQ

Thank you for your hard work and commitment. I voted to Remain and whilst I am heartbroken at the outcome I am equally upset at how politicians (not you) have responded. It contrasts hugely with the response to the outcome of the Scottish referendum when there was a recognition that the voice of the 45 per cent needed to be acknowledged and the Smith Commission was set up. The 48 per cent of us who voted to remain have not been acknowledged and instead been told effectively to put up and shut up. The lack of debate in Parliament (similar to renewing Trident) is shocking - those who voted against are seen as 'brave souls' or 'traitors' not as professionals doing their job. How can the 48 per cent be confident that they have a voice too?

Hi Harriet, As a woman born 1956 I am one of the thousands of woman who have had there state pension date moved , in my case to my 66th birthday.

Are you aware of the WASPI march to take thousands of woman's letters to Westminster tomorrow 21st Feb, will you be in Westminster?

This is causing great hardship for these woman but it's an ongoing campaign and our Daughters and Grandaughters will ultimately suffer too.

What is your position regarding these pension changes.

Can I also ask that Mumsnetters support this campaign and try to stop the victimisation of Woman.
#WASPIVoice

We now have quite a few on transgender, and as we're keen that this doesn't become a single-issue webchat, we think that's enough for now.

I won't ask my question about the ethics of giving chemotherapy drugs to physically healthy children then. But I do think that if just one politician was prepared to engage with us properly on this, and to understand why we're all concerned, there would be no need to ask so many trans questions.

I won't post my question as it related to the transgender self identification bill, but will be following the webchat with interest. Whether Harriet feels able to answer any of those questions or not I hope she will get a sense of the great anxiety many women are feeling about the consequences for women of this bill.

This isn't so much a question as a suggestion.

I have left the Labour party because I'm so disillusioned with the current leadership. The party used to be the natural home of the working class, the people who are just getting by. Now its leadership seems more interested in playing identity politics, niche interests and posturing as if playing to an audience of their own in-group. It is the last thing I want to say, but Jeremy Corbyn is, frankly, pathetic. An even less effective leader than Michael Foot.

I guess there is a question there, and it would be:

When is the Labour party going to form an appealing and effective opposition?

Hi

I was at uni when you became an MP and loved your appearance on Graham Norton the other week. Women have come a long way since then, and there have been big changes to how the House of Commons works and the number of women MPs.

In wider society, what are the challenges that women still face in order to achieve equal standing, and what can Parliament do to improve this.

@FloraFox

We often find on these webchats that the guest evades answering questions on this issue. Could you therefore request that Harriet gives a meaningful answer to the issues raised in the questions so far?

As I said, Flora, we'll definitely make sure that Harriet's aware that there have been several questions on this. But in truth, it's our guests' prerogative to decide the depth to which they answer questions (just as it's MNers' prerogative to adjust their opinion of the guest according to the answers given). It's not on to barrack for a certain kind of answer, so do avoid that too please.

I understand that, Kate, and that may be a reason to ask Caroline Flint if she'd be prepared to do a webchat on this specifically? She's the only MP who's actually expressed concern about women's rights in this area so far.

I'm not suggesting you use interrogation techniques Kate but there is important legislation on this topic in parliament this week. If Harriet is not "engaged" in this or finds our concerns "off-putting" as you say, I certainly will adjust my views on her. And heaven forfend that Harriet, as Labour's most senior female politician, might feel "barracked" by questions on an internet webchat from women concerned about legislation that will abolish the legal concept of women as a class. Message received loud and clear.

It's an incredibly relevant issue that will have far reaching effects on women and girls, hence the many questions.

Hi Harriet

I am very concerned about the changes being made to the child support agency currently. The parent with with custody is being penalised which I find so unfair. This is taking money away from the child. Does labour intend to change this?

Hi Harriet,

What are you going to do after politics when you retired?

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Hi - it's great to be back at Mumsnet again. Looking forward to seeing the points you'll be making, and responding.

@VanillaSugar

Hi Harriet

What advice would you give to young female graduates today? These girls deserve equal rights for salary and promotional prospects, yet everyday sexism seems more prevalent today than it did in 1987 when I graduated. #askingForMyDaughter

To have a strong belief that that's what they do deserve and to work with other women to achieve it and recognise that everyone faces setbacks but fighting for your rights is an important cause.

I don't think everyday sexism is worse than in the 1980s, back then so much of it was swept under the carpet, at least now we are challenging it.

@terrylene

Hi

I was at uni when you became an MP and loved your appearance on Graham Norton the other week. Women have come a long way since then, and there have been big changes to how the House of Commons works and the number of women MPs.

In wider society, what are the challenges that women still face in order to achieve equal standing, and what can Parliament do to improve this.

The biggest challenges have their roots in the traditional pattern in the home, of women taking the main responsibility for caring for children and elderly or disabled relatives. Government can help change this by increasing paternity pay and leave, encouraging men to work part-time, challenging discrimination against part-time women and a public campaign emphasizing the important role of men in their family lives.

Hi Harriet,
Thank you for coming on here. I'd like to ask about the upcoming by election in Stoke on Trent. I understand that candidates are selected by the local party, but do you really think it was wise of the local constituency to put forward a candidate who has described Brexit as (if I remember correctly), "a pile of shit" in a constituency which voted nearly 70% in favour of Brexit? We desperately need to keep Nuttall out - is this really the best we can do?

I am a Labour party member who despairs of Labour over moves like this one. At a time when Labour needs to supply a strong and meaningful opposition, and at a time when (post Cameron's resignation, the Tory leadership struggle should have given Labour an open goal to aim for - instead they decided to stage an internecine struggle of their own). Can I ask as a wider issue, what Labour intends to do to ensure the details of Brexit are subject to proper parliamentary scrutiny, the rights of EU nationals here are protected, and we aim for a soft Brexit which enables us to keep our economy afloat and protect labour and human rights legislation?

Thanks.

@RespoDad

What's your favourite biscuit?

I see a chocolate digestive sitting in front of me.

@MissBeehiving

Hi Harriet, thank you for all the work you have done 🙂

What's the most important lesson life has taught you so far?

That you don't make progressive change unless you fight for it - and because there's inevitably resistance, fighting for it can be hard. And family relationships, both within and between the generations, are precious.

Harriet, I am a big fan of yours and I wish you had stood for leadership of the Labour party back in 2010. Do you feel as if that boat has sailed, or would you run for leadership ? the party needs direction and many people believe it needs a female guiding hand. I would vote for you.

@Lovecat

Hi Harriet, can I ask why you didn't stand for labour leader in 2010 or thereafter? You'd have got my vote. I know that you've said it was a mystery to yourself why you didn't stand after Brown resigned - was it anything to do with the way you knew the press would treat you? As no fan of Teresa May it infuriates me the way she is now fawned over, when I suspect that you or any female labour leader would get ripped to shreds...

In 2010 when Labour members - especially women - urged me to stand for Leader, I felt it was a great compliment and very affirming but didn't realise I should really think seriously about doing it. The press no doubt would have been horrible but they had been for decades.

@TresDesolee

Hi Harriet - big fan of yours and so many questions!

Do you agree with Diane Abbott that you would have thought twice about going into politics if you'd known how much abuse you would get?

Cheeky extra ones...

In retrospect, do you think whipping Labour MPs to vote for welfare cuts in 2015 (when you were interim leader) contributed to Corbyn's election as leader?

If you could wave a magic wand now and change anything about the Equalities Act, what if anything would you change?

Hard to say "if I knew then what I know now...". The problem is, unless somebody is prepared to put their head above the parapet / stick their neck out, nothing changes. Diane Abbott was the first Afro-Caribbean woman in the House of Commons, and that was hugely important in making our Parliament more representative and bringing a voice and insight with hitherto the Commons had lacked. But no-one should face abuse like that for doing their job. Politicians should never be beyond criticism, but personal vilification undermines democracy.

Another cheeky question: Harriet, it seems to be generally accepted that the rail industry in this country is utterly screwed beyond repair - and the shareholders couldn't give a stuff. would you support re-privatisation of the railways?

Do I stay on this page for the webchat?