The Mumsnet Manifesto (Mumifesto even?)

[JustineMumsnet]

Hi all,
Given that we've been somewhat thrust into the spotlight this election, we thought we'd put together a list of Mumsnet's key policy recommendations - a Mumsnet Manifesto, if you will - with the hope that some or all might make it into the big three manifestos, due to be launched in a week or two. Do let us know what you think and whether there's anything crucial we've missed?

Thanks.

Better funding to maintain and improve the fabric of state school buildings. I work in the secondary sector, and IMHE many school buildings are dirty, run down, and overcrowded (particularly with regard to classroom size, many of which have barely any room for children to move once they are squashed into their seats with their bags).

It is a disgrace that we are happy to house our children for 6 hours a day in such accommodation, and all those politicians, both local & national should be ashamed of themselves as they sit in their air-conditioned, clean, & comfortable modern buildings.

By StewieGriffinsMom Thu 01-Apr-10 08:17:02

Before and after school care as standard.

This is a very good idea and would perhaps ecourage more dossers, i'm not talking SAHMs with small children i'm talking dossers, back to work therefore decreasing benefit payment/increasing tax income for government, although i suppose if the lower tax threshold is raised it might not generate that much

And the people who get in my way I would really benefit it from a cycle lane

Lol I love the idea of the MNP!

I'm probably not your average mumsnetter but if it's hard bringing up children when they're tiny, it's sure as hell hard when they're teenagers. So why not some sort of Sure Start-type support to help parents struggling with our young people, what with the drinking, the staying up all night, accessing pornography online and stuff.

Yes. Mu scales-from-eyes moment was when I realised that I am completely priggish enough to vote for the MNP candidate. ESPECIALLY the grammar lessons for three-year-olds, which IMVHOAE is actually waay too late.

I believed this until the very last line. I was thinking 'Justine has LOST HER MIND'

The list was cleverly done and v subtle.
Big ticks all round .

I have been chortling at this all day - especially all those who have taken it so, so seriously!

(But I'm cheesed off that I have missed Tech's trickery with the Easter emoticons)

BIWI - I just want to say that IMO you have, and always have had, the best Easter name. Unassailably.

Which is why it gets dusted off every year!

Yes

we want the damn Police Nanny State dismantled. W

e want the restoration of all the civil liberties labour has stripped us of in the last 14 years.

We want the removal of various statutes that give entire undemocratic powers to petty beurocrats, such as RIPA.

We want the massive databases of state, which the state is patently unable to keep safe and protected, taken apart.

We want rid of the DNA database except for people actually found guilty.

We want rid of the ID cards , whos technology has already been broken, and now simply represent an ideal opportunity to steal your ID.

We want the right to silence restored, the right to trial by jury, and the right to legal assistance returned.

We want detention without trial stopped, we want rid of ALL secret courts, including the secret family courts, and we want to abolition of the ability to hold secret coroners inquests.

We want civil liberties and freedom of speech restored to what it was before Labour destroyed it.

All schools to guarantee that every child learns to read before leaving primary school. Good synthetic phonics teaching from teachers who understand how our alphabetic code works, with extended help for children who take longer to acquire the basic skills.

Nothing more. No SENCOs, no Ed. psychs, no massively expensive 'catch-up' programmes. The hell for many kids who reach secondary school age unable to access the curriculum is
almost unimaginable for those of us who picked up 'reading' without any problems.

The solution would literally save billions of pounds a year if all the problems created by illiteracy are factored in.

I'd like to add something under Transport, please:

That when the only toilet on trains is 'out of order' (as the ones that run from the coast through Maidstone to London and back always seem to be) passengers (especially expectant Mums and those with toddlers) are allowed access to another one somewhere, even if it's just a portaloo in the guards van.

Also would you please tell David Cameron that the conservatives will NEVER win my vote as long as he says he'll bring back foxhunting. There's enough cruelty in this world for my daughter to grow up in and know about, and it's time that he stopped pandering to those who enjoy this sort of thing.

Thank you!

Money saving ideas

Morning school only, finishing at 1pm

or else

all children do a 4 day school week with the expectation that parents do something educational with them on their day out

Teenage mums have to be in a 2 adult household to get housing benefit, but any arrangement within that rule is acceptable. (A great way to ensure that children of young people are safe.)

And I like Matthew Parris' idea (Spectator Manifesto) of a blanket dissolution of all laws passed during this Labour government - including the fox hunting bill - because, interestingly, I like foxes.

"Teenage mums have to be in a 2 adult household to get housing benefit, but any arrangement within that rule is acceptable. (A great way to ensure that children of young people are safe.) "

Or a great way of ensuring crappy boyfriends have huge leverage over teenage mums.

You know, most boys take a long time to learn to read and write, to speak, to start thinking meaningfully about life and yes, even to learn how to be functional partners and parents. So what do you do? Chuck them into the rubbish and give up on them or persevere until they get it right? It's messy work but someone has to do it.

Not quite sure if that was in response to me onesmallkayak, but if so, I'm a little confused, sorry.

I don't quite understand the 'Fruit shoot' item. I don't think I have or ever will purchase this offending item but I'd rather make the choice myself than have an overbearing paternalistic State infantalising its citizens.

Doc, I think it was an April Fool. Though the restraint of your conservatism is admirable