Live webchat with Harriet Harman MP on Tues Nov 25th 1-2pm

[HelenMumsnet]

We're pleased to announce that, as part of our ongoing Home Front debate, we've invited Harriet Harman MP to drop by MNHQ for a live webchat on Tuesday November 25th at 1pm.

As well as being Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the House of Commons, Harriet is Secretary of State for Equalities and Minister for Women.

Please join us to put your questions to Harriet on anything from the Government's plans for flexible working to Gordon's performance in the present economic crisis.

And, as usual, you're welcome to post any questions here in advance if you can't make it on the day.

now she's pushed off without agreeing. typical. Even Dave said he would come - I've had to keep cancelling on him cos of dd's seizures.

hasnt she got a laptop or a blackberry! no excuse. she should have treated it like question time bet she wouldve been ready for dimbleby.

How fast d'ya think she's running away?

i see treadmarks...

oh well.

i've been following this thread for the last 20 mins and what a waste of time. None of you got any answers

She would've been busy yesterday, but surely she knew that before agreeing today for a webchat

If she's that slow a typist then surely she could've got someone in ready to type for her.

I'd say the 'chat' achieved sweet FA for anybody

It's all fairly pointless really, isn't it?

God, I'd be out of this country like a shot - if I wasn't up to my eyeballs in debt due to giving up my business in order to educate my children, because the state education system is on its' knees.

Mumsnet members should form a political party - at least we'd have good intentions. That's a start, isn't it?

are we suprised a politician didn't answer questions! Its what they do (or rather, don't)

But never fear, I will write to her office and badger her for a meeting them tell everyone

Actually Justine, she's not Deputy Prime Minister I think, just Deputy Labour Leader - Brown pointedly did not make her DPM

thats a brilliant idea humphrey cushion. wed easily win as we are the most influential people in the country and we would force our families to vote for us with threats of strike action! brilliant!

anyone recall that TV series where a supermarket cashier did say bugger it and stood for election as an independant , then other women did and they won.
I quite liked that

HC but none of us on here ever agree over things do we? How would we form policies?

Mind you, I'm not moving to number 10. Its not wheelchair accessible. How shocking is that!!!

Bramshott DPM is just a role for people who they don't want to damage anything.... think back to who the last one was {grin]

life long labour supporter here dittany. But politcians should be given a hard time.
I went for beer with tony Benn once and gave hima grilling too

I am a Labour voter.

What should we do then Dittany, sit and swoon?

sod that, not until my life is perfect anyhow.

And fwiw I know at least me and NMC posted complimentary thanks as wella s questions.

FFS. What is a chat for if not questions?

Good point Bramshott - my mistake - but she must still be v busy what with being Deputy Leader of Labour Party, Leader of the House of Commons, Secretary of State for Equalities and Minister for Women.

Would keep me busy anyway!

its the duty of everyone in a democracy to question the leaders constantly.

It must be very difficult for politicians to keep up with the myriad of questions posted on these kind of threads (although clearly some are better at it than others!) especially if they have not honed their skills at skim reading and picking out phrases by hours of Mumsnetting !

Is there some way we can improve this to make it easier for them to get their answers to us in the timeframe? Can we for example give each post a title in capitals: eg "WORKING PARENTS", "CHILD TAX CREDIT", "VAT ON TAMPONS". Do the people we have on have any time beforehand to read through the questions that have already been posted?

I also think it IS quite difficult for us to expect politicians to comment directly on people's individual circumstances. NMC - your point about DLA and winter fuel payments is very valid and has wider ramifications than your DD, but to ask a minister to comment specifically on personal circumstances as other posters may have done is tricky I think, and I can see why she/they would shy away from it.

yes dittany "from her website" come on shes not going to have anything unglamorous on there is she?!. and no i am not a tory voter just a mother finding it hard to survive isnt that worthy enough to get a few simple questions answered?

I do believe I gave Dave a hard time too. But you're right, didn't think to ask him about VAT on sanitary products. Will remember that if he comes to this agreed meeting in Bristol. Like what he promised.

Dittany, I voted for Labour several times, in all good faith.
That's why it is all so fecking depressing.