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Mumsnet webchats

WEBCHAT GUIDELINES: 1. One question per member plus one follow-up. 2. Keep your question brief. 3. Don't moan if your question doesn't get answered. 4. Do be civil/polite. 5. If one topic or question threatens to overwhelm the webchat, MNHQ will usually ask for people to stop repeating the same question or point.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Gordon Brown on Mumsnet this Friday (16th October) lunchtime between 1-2 pm

1057 replies

JustineMumsnet · 15/10/2009 13:21

We're delighted to announce that the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, will be logging on to Mumsnet for a live webchat on Friday (tomorrow) lunchtime from 1 to 2. The PM is ready to answer Mumsnetters' questions on a wide-range of policy issues from the economy to education and from childcare to climate change.

As you know we're not great ones for rule books here at MNHQ, but we'd like this to be as useful and enlightening an event as it can be, for all involved. We aren't going to pre-moderate or pre-select questions - the format will be as per usual - but given the likely popularity of this webchat, the sheer number of you all and our past experience of trying to fit everything in, we've come up with a few ground rules which we'd be very grateful if you'd follow.

Guidelines for MN webchat with PM

  1. To allow as many folks as possible to be involved, please restrict your questions to one per member plus a follow up question if appropriate, i.e. once you've had a response. (NB don't even think about name changing to ask another, we'll be watching!).
  1. Please keep your question reasonably brief (we'll not doing a word count but it will increase your chance of getting an answer, we suspect, if you don't bang on for paragraphs)
  1. It's highly unlikely he'll be able to answer everyone's question but we'll make every effort to bring common themes to his attention. Please don't be too disappointed if your specific question doesn't get answered and do try not to keep posting "What about me?". He can't answer them all and he is the PM after all - so has a quite few time constraints.
  1. Obviously you're free to voice your opinion but do be civil/polite - the PM is our guest on Mumsnet so, whatever your politics, please afford him the same cordiality you would if he stopped by your own house.

Many thanks - feel free to put your question up in advance if you can't make the live chat on Friday lunchtime.

OP posts:
GordonBrown · 16/10/2009 13:49

To Ottavia,

I think Sarah works much harder than me! She's a busy Mum like most of you and I'm proud of the work she does for charity.

SexyDomesticatedDad · 16/10/2009 13:50

Agree with lovemygirls too - not a minder but have used thme over a number of years.

bumbling · 16/10/2009 13:50

Liking it Bambiepie.

justaboutautumn · 16/10/2009 13:50

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corblimeymadam · 16/10/2009 13:50

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PeachesMcLean · 16/10/2009 13:50

I had him down as an Abernethy eater myself.

antoxo · 16/10/2009 13:50

Hi Gordon, who is your favourite to win this year's X-Factor?

lonelyoldmadmoodluminchat · 16/10/2009 13:50

I agree newshoes? £1,000 on a cochlear implant?

LeninGhoul · 16/10/2009 13:50

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springlamb · 16/10/2009 13:51

Please Mr B talk to me about SMALL BUSINESS.
I had to let my one employee go earlier this year because the business couldn't afford his wages, the Employer NI contribution and the VAT bill.
You'll not be getting his PAYE or NI and you're now paying him JA.
Can't we have a sliding scale for us really small businesses.

SCS · 16/10/2009 13:51

Dear PM,
There has been a few postings about delaying formal primary education. Completely agree. I'm sure there're very good reasons why other countries don't start until age 6! Thanks.

pofacedandproud · 16/10/2009 13:51

will you comment on the Badman Report Prime Minister?

GypsyMoth · 16/10/2009 13:51

got to be hobnobs....just has to be.

Mr Brown....need an answer for the ongoing mumsnet biscuit eating debate.....or is it a 'nice' biscuit like aggie??

corblimeymadam · 16/10/2009 13:51

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ohIdoliketobebesidethe · 16/10/2009 13:52

I'm very impressed you have come on here today. Please can I ask why we don't have exponentially longer sentences for repeat offenders. It's gaulling to learn that someone responsible for a murder or sexual assault has been successfully convicted many times before and yet was still at liberty to offend again.

Rhubarb · 16/10/2009 13:52

I doubt he'll respond to my question asking if the MPs will take a freeze on their pay in solidarity with the rest of the workers who are being kicked in the teeth by proposed redundancies, pay cuts and pay freezes whilst their fat cat bosses live it up in Marbella.

natfrank · 16/10/2009 13:52

pippa251 - some childminders are registered to provide overnight care. Perhaps contact your local childrens information service and they can advise - you will need to call the childrens information service as the website has been scrapped as its all moving over to the Directgov website but doesn't work - something I have asked Mr Brown about!

aviatrix · 16/10/2009 13:52

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GordonBrown · 16/10/2009 13:52

to slug and others - yes, we need far more women in parliament, in our local councills, in the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly - whenever there are decisions to be made. There are some amazing women already changing the world, but if anyone on mumsnet is interested in running for parliament I can assure you we are working to make parliament more family friendly, more in touch, more representative. I'll be speaking about our record and what needs to be done, on Tuesday. If you've got more ideas on this, please go to www.labourspace.com

hatchypom · 16/10/2009 13:52

Hi all - to be clear, I'm not complaining about paying per se (as the NHS did fund her 1st one) its the VAT on a medical device that is in the words of duncan bannatyne ludicrous

herbietea · 16/10/2009 13:52

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Bumperlicioso · 16/10/2009 13:52

Yes please, more in depth answers Mr Prime Minister, we're an intelligent lot, we can take more than sound bites.

MadameDefarge · 16/10/2009 13:52

Justine said they had cupcakes, but they ain't very manly are they?

AbricotsSecs · 16/10/2009 13:53

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aviatrix · 16/10/2009 13:53

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