Live online chat with The Rt Hon Beverley Hughes MP, Minister for Children, on Thursday 24th May 1-2pm

[carriemumsnet]

Hi all

Ok this is your chance to have your say about what, in an ideal world, you'd like to happen to childcare, nurseries and pre-schools (as well as debate what's happening in the sometimes non ideal world). The Rt Hon Beverley Hughes, Minister for Children and mum of three, will be joining us for a lunchtime chat on Thursday 24th May, so bring your sarnies, get your questions ready and join us then. For those of you who have unavoidable lunchtime commitments (and letters from your mum to prove it) we'll let you post your questions in advance here. For the rest of you, we'll see you on the 24th.

actually she was just trying to do a link I think?

I don't know

was it supposed to be her views and knowledge though about her department?

zippi - 2nd part of the bit you quoted is basically lifted from here
under Domestic Violence Helplines.
I guess it answered the question though...

Carrie, it is important that politicians do things like this.

It's clearly not going to be an easy thing for them to do, but you shouldn't be in politics if you want an easy life.

I should have asked her about purple bits in the crotch of her black pants..she would have heaved a sigh of relief at a question she could answer

of course that should read "what you'd like to see the Government do about...."

fainting from lack of food, never actually got round to that sandwich....

do you know what really made me see red? the little homilies. like we don't know the breast is best? but who sodding cares if people who are wholly, utterly committed to bfing can't actually do it because they don't get the support in those early weeks?
why do governments put money into persuading people to try bfing? look at the 'failure' rates - why not put it into helping people to continue when their nipples are about to drop off?

Perhaps the next Minister may think it appropriate to read the questions posted in advance, and reply adequately, thereby giving them plenty of time to respond fully to debate on the day.
Although I'm not sure if there is a Minister of the Bleedin' Obvious.

carrie, if a Minister can't stand the heat ... and all that!

For goodness sake are we supposed to be all fluffy towards people. Poor old Piers took at a right lambasting.

Yep, totally agree, Aitch.

75%(ish) of women start breastfeeding.

Big whoop if they've all stopped six minutes later though.

hang on a sec, we're the electorate... they should want to speak to us, we Pay Their Bloody Wages... this is pissing me right off now.

Aitch, stop making me want to post "Oh, me too, Aitch"!

exactly Aitch!

Did anyone see Carrie's post down the thread about being on the phone to her office to see if she'd answer a bfing question?!

Imagine that conversation!

it amazes me that your getting annoyed about it to be honest. I can't honestly believe you expected anything other than trite all emcompassing statements.

i think its quite cute you all had higher expectations.

i did give you a round of applause earlier, hunk. seriously though, why shouldn't she say 'i don't actually know the answer to that, i'll find out for you'. she's only human, she doesn't need to keep it all in her head for us, that would be ridiculous. but she is in a position to find out, and also to influence thigns. but she comepletely failed to engage with us at all, as if there was nothing she had to learn. how disgustingly arrogant.

i did give you a round of applause earlier, hunk. seriously though, why shouldn't she say 'i don't actually know the answer to that, i'll find out for you'. she's only human, she doesn't need to keep it all in her head for us, that would be ridiculous. but she is in a position to find out, and also to influence thigns. but she comepletely failed to engage with us at all, as if there was nothing she had to learn. how disgustingly arrogant.

lol custardo

Custy, I am nothing if not frantically optimistic.

Custy, I think you're right.
Have just been having a discussion about this, and had the same response from my friend.
I think I thought that it would be less sound bites, more genuine answers because it was a woman.
I admit to being naive and very disappointed.
Although past attempts to get government officials to account for their actions have also been pointless.
My optimism is practically eroded.

Beverley Hughes views and voting record:
www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/beverley_hughes/stretford_and_urmston

ach custardo, that's bullshit i think. she came on to do a live webchat, she should just have spoken to us like we were humans. most of us are...

tell you what, if she'd said 'i didn't manage to bf and i feel a bit shit about it' she'd have been putting forward the government line and she'd have got thirty angry women going 'oh dear petal, it is difficult isn't it? you did the best you could and that's the main thing'. a win-win, only she was too dumb to see it.

Oh dur, I missed her. Was out buying food for my family. Apologies.

some strange bits in that link

she uses three word alliterative phrases at a well above a verage rate and contributes next to nothing to debates in parliament

strongly for top up fees
strongly for ID cards

You didnt miss much, barefootdancer