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

Well you know what LeninGrad, If you had said this 6 months ago, I would have wholeheartedly agreed.

oh well.

the life and cycle of a forum.

I didn't give a shit about the DM stuff tbh.

However I am sick of the publicity this site has got lately - it is all yummy mummy middle class. That is what the media thinks of us. And it's not true. This could be a good opportunity to say 'look, MN is diverse and we are not all latte drinking smug mums living in North London'. However the way the focus grup attendees are being chosen will mean that the usual suspect type of people are chosen and the myth will carry on.

It is not a gin and tonic, I am having a large "Gifted and Talented", you numpty!

I'll just let that one go, Quint, the drink is obviously going to your head

Agree that cross msectiopn will be limited- not enough notice for many with caring responsibilities I would think, I know I ahve 2 appts that day (special needs dentist and earlybird scheme).

Sjhame though, woudl have been nice.

GetOrf i agree- very london Centric again.

lol - I didnt realize it was last NIGHT you brought out the drinks...

note to self: read times on posts.

Hello everyone, following all the justified comments about the timing of the focus groups potentially excluding too many would-be recruits, we've changed the time of the focus groups to the evening, but have had to change the date of the first focus group (the one at MNHQ).

The one at MNHQ will now be at the new time of 8-9.30pm on the new date of Tues 30 March (not 23 Mar as previously billed).

The online chats will take place on Tues 20 April and Tues 4 May at 8-9.30pm.

Sorry, sorry, sorry to everyone who signed up for the original time , but hope you may still be able to come in the evening instead.

Please can you fill in the survey again if you'd like to take part and so it doesn't get even more muddled, we've started a new recruitment thread here.

Thanks
MNHQ

Have posted on other thread too; yes I'd still ike to be considered, worried now cos the link doesnt work and I might miss out!

sorry, here is correct link

Geraldine - still can't get the link to work. Maybe just me - on iPhone!!!

Well I had originally signed up to take part.
But I cannot make the new times as I have to be at work, where I live-a long way outside london, on wednesady morning so can't be in London that time at night the night before.

I am outraged. It is clearly discrminating against women who work on wednesady mornings and who live outside London. What kind of focus group is that?? Except a biased dcrminatory one of course.

I wonder if the sign up rate will now dramatically increase?

I suspect more working women who live in London will now be able to make it at least. Result.

www.surveymonkey.com/s/99QHWJK Surveymonkey link

Geraldine No, I had signed up but now can't make the new time. Why not run both slots? Now I'm annoyed at all the messing about.

I would also guess that you'll get a lot more London-dwellers now, but far fewer people from outside London, like BridesheadRegardless and me. Well done - this thing is now more London-centric than it was before.

Can't do it now as need to be in work wed morning and live up North...agree, it's even more London-centric now. Why not stick to on-line medium if it's truly just opinions you're after?

hate to say it but moving the London one to evening isn;t great! (I did say originally that lunchtime for the london one was probably the least bad option)