We're recruiting for Mumsnet pre-election focus groups: would you like to take part?

[GeraldineMumsnet]

Would you like to be involved in three pre-election Mumsnet focus groups we're co-organising?

We're working with the Times and a polling organisation to find out what issues are important to you, which politicians you like / loathe and how likely you are to actually cast your vote.

We're planning on running three focus groups (one at MNHQ and the other two online) and you would need to be able to take part in all three.

If you're selected and take part in all three groups you will receive £100. Travel expenses will be paid for the London group, (up to £15 for those in London and up to £100 for second-class rail travel for those coming to join in from outside London).

1. The first focus group would involve coming to Mumsnet Towers in Kentish Town, London on Tuesday 23 March between 12.15pm and 2pm. We'll provide a light lunch, but we're really sorry we can't accommodate babies/children as we simply don't have the space or facilities.

2. The second focus group is online - so you would just be logging in from home (we'll send you a link) and will take place on Tues 20 April from 11.30am-1pm.

3. The third focus group is also online and will be on Tues 4 May from 11.30am-1pm.

We're looking for a good cross-section of Mumsnetters. The polling organisation has devised the questions.

The comments made during the focus groups will be used by the Times for articles in the lead-up to the general election - please note your real first name may be used and they will want to use a picture of you.

All data from this survey is confidential - participants will be screened by responses to the questions and your MN or real name will not be linked to your responses.

Sorry, but this project is only open to UK residents who are eligible to vote in the upcoming general election.

So if you're interested, and you can make all three focus groups, please click here.

Thanks,
MNHQ

would love to but childcare makes the London visit too hard. sorry

Ooh I would love to do this, survey done!

I would love to have a trip to MNTowere but I can't do the 23rd

Will they be attributing comments in the focus groups to the individual who said them in the subsequent Times articles?

Well let's see how that "good cross-sectiony" thing is going for ya, Mumsnetters.

In work on Tuesdays?

Baby or small child or God forbid someone for whom you are caring 24/7 up your sleeve?

School run at 3pm Tue 23 March which you might not get back for because you live in Warrington?

I can see the Times and the polling organisation (who are they? pray tell!)are really really crap at this focus group lark trying hard to make sense of a certain very limited demographic.

I shall certainly be reading all the interviews with my special "gosh I'm really impressed with this!" smiley face on.

FGS.

11.30-1pm is really quite a silly time for anyone at home with small children no? evenings are surely better. yes i could sort childcare for the day to london bit, but would then be soooo much easier if the other bits were evenings..

Would love to, but I am unwilling to have my photo in the paper.

only MNers who live in or near london, with childcare and no other issues or work are eligible

Not Impressed

I entered! I didn't think I could say that my reason for entering is to have a nose around mn towers!

Agree - not sure how representative the first group will be though!

One of the issues that makes me an SNP voter is the 'London Centric' viewpoint of the so called 'major' parties. A focus group which can only reasonably be attended by those close to London will surely re-inforce that view. Also agree with ruddynorah that an evening or weekend slot for the on-line part would suit much better.

YES YES YES ME ME ME
bt omg i have to work on tuesdays

oh please change the day
or do evening

Well obviously working mothers, or those who are actually mothers need not apply . Come on MN towers, surely it is not beyond your wit to, ooh I don't know book a hotel - doesn't even have to be in London. Focus groups are used to going to hell holes as far away as Watford FFS

Pre-election focus should have gone to Specsavers.

I want to take part please.

What everyone else said - I work, I don't live in or near London etc etc. And in any case as I vote Conservative, I doubt you want to hear what I think anyway.

Granny - believe me you don't have to live in Scotland to at Londoncentricness.

If you don't have an 0207 dialcode, you are mere chopped liver.

Would love to but the arrangements mean working mums won't be able to make it. What a shame.

Is that a hacking cough or did someone just hear a journalist trip trap into the thread?

would love to, but as others have said, I do havea small matter of work to get to and I live 250 miles away from London - don't I matter?

By whomovedmychocolate Mon 08-Mar-10 20:44:48
Is that a hacking cough or did someone just hear a journalist trip trap into the thread?

Who do you mean? Do tell.

yes please! I have done the survey but you probably think I'm dodgy as I have actually re-registered for this purpose... attempt to wean self off MN has failed miserably.

(luckily for me I am self employed and ds is in nursery that day - agree with other posters that arrangements are not very mum-friendly, be that WOHM or SAHM)

The unobserved life is rarely worth living my dear.

Oh I am so stupid, I thought it was an either or kind of thing with the groups. I am so sleep deprived I dont think my head is on right today.

I cant make the London group, so please ignre my application. Im so sorry

Whomovedmychocolate, I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Do explain yourself. Cryptic comments are very dull.

And it's the "unconsidered life" that isn't worth living, just to be accurate.