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.

i saw that about the ID cards... i strongly think she's a twunt.

She is a Minister. She has never rebelled against her whip. Therefore the link just shows that her voting record reflects Government policy. Also she will never speak in the Commons except to answer questions and debates in her ministerial role. Ministers do not ask questions and contribute to debates like other MPs (I feel for their constituents because of that).

I am not defending her at all. I thought that was a terrible, terrible live chat. I just thought I would explain the info on They Work For You.

Nobody asked about what she is going to do about all the 1000s of innocent children dying in Iraq due to the War that she strongly supported.

but she is moderately against a transparent parliament and never rebels ... clearly a career politician with one eye on the next promotion & no real engagement with her current portfolio

Yes but she's not Minister for those children BD.

lol AT, but do we sound like the type of women who wouldn't rebel against our party whip?

Yes as a Minister she has even more power that your average jobbing MP, no?

she looks completely different in that photo

sorry but i am fluffy and lite

No, not a Minister for Iraqi children, but a Minister who supported the bombing of those children.
Wrap around childcare and breastfeeding pale into insignificance against all those lives.

Good Luck ??

That's what Tony Blair said at the end of his Goodbye speech.

What do they know about Gordon Brown that we don't?

LOL Cammelia!

i like GB, i think it's his false eye, so manly...

She entered Parliament in 1997, so she's New Labour through and through, and of course has never rebelled. Is there any other sort of minister? IMO anyone who reaches that exalted position these days has to be a 'career politician'.

She was so rude and patronising though, really. The bf stuff is just so
She did not engage with a single mner.

Minister For Children - ONE answer that even slightly mentions breastfeeding out of 2,723

Oh God she was awful

I hate to say it but David Cameron was better. He at least pretended to answer from a personal point of view, rather than cutting and pasting government manuals

Can we have Jeremy Paxman next time? Or John Humphries? Or Posh Spice?

Anyone but a cabinet minister, please!

Are Ministers allowed to sign Early Day Motions?

She basically accused me of dissing young people rather than admitting that the truth about GCSE's

givvus tony benn. i could just worship at his feet.

its like 'I have spoken therefore it's true'

sod what everyone else thinks

Yes, Tony Benn would be brilliant. I once wrote to him when I was a student, asking him to speak at a seminar. He couldn't make it, but he wrote back a really nice personal letter....and it smelled of pipe smoke!

Hunker - Ministers do not sign Early Day Motions. They have better routes for making their concerns known in Government.

GiantSquirrel - I wish we had talked to a Cabinet Minister. Hughes is just a Junior Minister.

John Smith was a very great loss.

pipe smoke... dreamy...

Hi all

I've been contacted by Beverley's office to apologise again that she didn't get round to answering all the questions and to clarify that she's Minister for Children within the education department (rather than health) which is why she focused on the education questions most and didn't come back with full answers on breastfeeding. Apparently the person we should be emailing re the Govt policy on breastfeeding is Ivan Lewis (and yes I know his biog says he's in trade and industry, I thought that was odd too, but I'm assured he's now head of breastfeeding)The email on his site is
[email protected]
and there's some info on him herewww.dh.gov.uk/en/AdvanceSearchResult/index.htm?searchTerms=ivan+l ewis

I know folks were seriously disappointed by some of the responses, but please, if we're ever to entice anyone back here to face you lot again can stay at least stay civil ?

Shall I see if Mr Lewis wants to come and chat with some friendly mums ?

Thanks
MNHQ

Oh, YES PLEASE Carrie!

Sorry, Beverley.

Couldn't you just have said that though?

And does she boycott Nestle?