Should Mumsnet be going to Baby Show ? We need your views

[carriemumsnet]

Hi all

Reposting this here from the Baby Show volunteers thread to make sure we get widest response....

Basically we've had a great response to our appeal for help running a stall at the Baby Show. But now something has come up and, as usual, we want you to contribute to our decision. We've had an email from a mumsnetter saying that Clarion, the Baby Show organisers, also organise arms fairs and questioning whether, in that case, Mumsnet should be associated with them.

I don't think any of us are pro arms, but you could argue that Clarion aren't manufacturing or selling arms, they're just the organisers of a fair.

If we attend the Baby Show we have the chance to introduce Mumsnet (a good thing we hope you'll agree ) to several thousand mums-to-be who will then find out, for example, why lots of Mumsnetters boycott Nestle as well as the truth about fruit shoots and Greggs sausage rolls.

Or we pull out now. It's another one of those 'where do you draw the line?' discussions and we're torn. What do you think?

MNHQ

Arms fairs?? Do they sell Lebanese rockets?

The new MN baby look?

Is it these people?

They seem to cater to a pretty broad range of markets, including defense and also gambling.

This is obviously a pressing debate but the KFC thread
has made me hungry so shall return with an opinion later.

Off the top of my head and without looking into it at all... if Clarion really does organise arms fairs, then it's making profits from the arms industry. Personally I think the arms industry is corrupt and scary as shite. So I'd say, pull out and tell 'em why.

they obviously have a v broad range of clients (caravan club, anyone?) but tend to agree with policywonk. it's the only way to change people imo

Are MNHQ going to ban Mumsnetters with partners in the armed forces?

No, I didn't think so. Of course you should go ahead with the fair. Greatest good and so on.

this gives some of the background in how they came to buy it and stuff fascinating

I used to work for Reed when they had a publishing company.

Erm. Not sure. What would be your grounds for boycotting the fair? That you think the organisers are morally bankrupt?

i think the whole idea of the baby show is revolting. but go anyway i won't hold it against you.

temperature is rising...

i think the difference is we believe our defence does good whereas the international arms trade is open to all

Yes, agree with zippi. Members of the armed forces don't profit from the sale of armaments; arms fairs (and therefore Clarion) do.

You don't have to look very far for evidence of rampant corruption in the international arms trade.

I doubt there's any major company/corporation that doesn't do something that someone doesn't like. Arms Fairs in themselves aren't the problem (although I've been to a few that squicked me out, discussing the damage spread of hollow point bullets isn't something I want to go back to) Corrupt companies selling via third parties to corrupt/evil arsed regimes is. It's naive to think that we could have a world without Arms or the Armed Forces, it's a lovely thought but it isn't going to happen.

So that's a 'Don't pull out'

Well not going will make feck all difference to the arms trade but going will make lots of difference to mothers lives so i think go.

so they've actively gone out and bought the arms fair business because other people pressurised previous parent company to get rid of it for ethical reason?
so they actually know there are people out there who disapprove of profiting from arms?
then they should know that there are lots of people like that.
Tis not to do with disapproving of armed forces per se, as you could make a case for needing an armed force, but these people will sell to anyone, including those who ill use weapons (and torture equipment) agains civilian poplulations. Campaign against the Arms Trade will have plenty of info.
Don't go, MN!
(if I had been thnking about running a stall, which I'm not, this would stop me. Or, perhaps, I might go and ...well...diversify...)

Pull out.

Don't be seen to be supporting any organisation that makes money from the arms trade.

agree with prettycandles. Think MN should go.

Well what are the reasons behind going? That's important.

Is MN really going to be at the fair to attract pregnant ladies to the delights of this talk board? Or is it there to pick up advertisers and sweet talk Johnson and Johnson?

Not a judgment btw, just a question.

i think it's fine.

there will be a lot of other stalls there that would be dubious anyway.

didn't clare verity do a speech one year?

well yes they have bought this business knowiung that the previous owners sold it due to public pressure

cynicasl view that they would be immune to similar public pressure

these fairs are a significant factor in enabling international arms deals

it is a case where evicently pressure could be brought to bear and make a difference

Isn't Mumsnet famous for the whole business of strapping babies to rockets? And wouldn't a combined baby and arms fair therefore be an ideal platform for you?

Seriously, though, I would disocciate MN from anyone orgainising arms fairs -- but of course you have to make a living I suppose.

I agree with Carmenere when she says pulling out will make no difference but think of the mums you will be helping by going