Live webchat with political reformer and barrister Helena Kennedy, Tues 13 April, 1-2pm

[CatherineHMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce that Baroness Helena Kennedy will be at Mumsnet Towers for a webchat tomorrow (Tues) between 1 and 2pm.

A champion of civil liberties and promoter of human rights, Kennedy's work as a barrister has seen her acting in some of the most prominent cases of the last 30 years including the Guildford Four appeal and the bombing of the Israeli embassy. She also chaired an inquiry for the Royal College of Pathologists and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health into sudden infant death, in the aftermath of miscarriages of justice where mothers were wrongly convicted of murdering their babies.

Helena is also the founder of www.power2010.org.uka campaign group which aims to empower ordinary members of the general public in helping to ensure that the next Parliament makes a commitment to reform the British political system.

If you have any questions for Helena please join us.

I agree Bonsoir.

15 years may seem like a long time but many expats live for much longer than that outwith the UK.

We are bound to UK by family and cultural ties. Many of us have property or investment in the UK or the wish to at some time retire to the UK. We are unable to have any political influence in the resident country - except perhaps on a local government level.

It is easy to say, "come back and join us" but my DH is German, my children are British/German, our life is at present in Switzerland due to my DH's job. If we were to return to UK we would face a massive cut in income, even if my DH could find a job in his field.

The EU has a policy of the right to free movement and trade in Europe, but we are denied a basic democratic right if we live abroad. Even those employed by British companies and paid in Sterling. Why should they not be allowed to have a say in where their tax money goes?

Thanks to Helena for her time today and for getting through so many of the questions - and thanks to everybody who asked questions and took part.

MmeL and Bonsoir - perhaps the more pertinent question is why the countries in which you current reside do not allow you a vote. After all, if the situations were reversed and you were living here your non-British husband would be entitled to vote.

I think the compromise is if you pay tax (of pretty much any sort) in the UK then you are entitled to vote here. If not, sorry.

tablefor3
No, my DH could vote in local and EU elections but not General Elections.

Only British citizens and Commonwealth citizens can vote in UK.

I have no desire to vote in France. My allegiance is to the UK - and yes, that is where I have my money and pay most tax!

Thank you Helena!

I am a member of power 2010...it's worth having a look at the link provided in the OP.

Oh boo - I've missed her! I was going to ask her about her skirting boards.

Apparently her mother when asked if she's proud of all her daughter's achievements was inclined to say "Helena? You should see the state of her skirting boards!"

Ah... mothers...

i thought she was pretty damn good, managed to pack a lot in to her answers.

thank you ! please MNHQ, can we have her back?

i am happy to host the next one at my house

She thinks on her feet, manages to read lots of information and respond to the important points, gets her point across calmly and effectively, addresses her audience with respect and affection, humble about her achievements, a sense of dignity and honesty....

Can we just have her for President or something?