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

[Bubbaluv]

Oh I know Peachy, I just thought the arms thing was the most uninformed part of the argument.
I think MN should go.
Get the message out there! Be the lone voice of sanity amongst the formula flogging and early weaning clubs!

[Peachy]

What I don't like is the fact that an entire part of the MN community has been effectively barred by the non provision of changing facillities.

[SexyMilf]

I think MN should still go

[Flamebat]

When you makin a decision MNHQ?

[Grammaticus]

But what are the reasons for going? ahundedtimes has asked a good question which hasn't been answered.

< by the way: hundredtimes are you doing HTT here? as in - mommy shall I go to the arms fair? why d'ya want to go honey?>



But seriously - it's a good question, what's the answer??

[Flamebat]

Reasons for going... I have an excuse to go play with MRM

[combustiblelemon]

Please don't go. Clarion bought 2 more arms fairs in September making a total of 5 they now own (all purchased this year). Yes they sell to the military. The Saudi military, the Indonesian military and the Chinese military amongst others. They sell cluster bombs.

Up to 98% of the vicyims of cluster bombs in the last 3 decades have been civilians. A third of those were children.

[Ewe]

They do have baby change facilities!

www.thebabyshow.co.uk/earls-court-london/hassle-free/pampers-changing/ - with free nappies and wipes for those not using reusables

I think it would be great for MN to be there - the reason is of course to get more people using MN, making people more aware of it etc I would love more of my friends to see it as the excellent resource it can be. More people = more advertising revenue for MN too, everyone is a winner.

[Ceolas]

Ewe, I believe it's disabled facilities they are lacking.

[VictorianSqualor]

They don't have disabled change facilities.

[combustiblelemon]

They don't have disabled facilities.

[zippitippitoes]

gordon brrown did promise to close some arms trading loopholes but im not altogether sure he has yet done it

oxfam and amnesty internayional are part of campaiging groups to control arms

there have been incidents at these fairs in the past regarding exhibitors

[Ewe]

That's the venue though, they have disabled toilets, wheelchair hire, assistants, disabled parking... Seems like they are doing all they can. I would complain to Earls Court if they should have disabled changing facilities too.

Clarion don't make cluster bombs, they are an events company.

However, I don't think MN can now attend as so many people are totally against it. Which in my opinion is a shame.

[combustiblelemon]

Clarion now own 5 arms fairs. They went out of their way to purchase these fairs. They host the companies that sell, amongst other things, cluster bombs.

[ClosedForCleaning]

I'd prefer the view from the moral high-ground. (But then, I'm not trying to run a business).

Besides which - aren't baby shows just shamelessly exploiting the hormonal vulnerablility of pregnant women? Full of stuff you don't need, and won't bother with beyond pfb.

Design maternity towel packaging that appeals to men. Insert mumsnet info. That'll reach new mums. Always the first thing you send OH out to buy.

[VictorianSqualor]

It may be the venue ewe but the exhibitors should get round that by making facilities available.
Blaming it on the venue would be like complaining to the owner of a field that an event didn't hire any portaloos.

[littleducks]

dont go

[DaddyJ]

The Nay camp have a pretty strong case
but there is a fly in the ointment:

Can a forum with a "Forces' Sweetheart" section really
claim the pacifist high ground?

We might have to ask the pacifists but I recall
that at least one Mumsnetter with strong pacifist leanings thought not (on this thread).

I am still on the fence regarding whether you should go or not
but in case you don't I would recommend not making a big hooha about the arms thing.

[Ceolas]

Interesting point, DaddyJ.

Why does MN need publicity anyway? Is it for advertising or members? Or both?

[Peachy]

Both I guess?

if the venue isn't suitable for disabled usage, then change venue. End of.

isn't half of the success of MN that it is so inclusive?

Well, as long as you're not into greggs or saying Chav anyhoo

[policywonk]

I don't think you have to be a pacifist to object to the international arms trade as it currently operates. Really. It's horrifically corrupt.

[policywonk]

I mean, I'm not a pacifist, and I object.

[Threadworrm]

Agree policywonk -- the whole business of thwarting the investigation of the Arab Emirates/BAE scandal.

[DaddyJ]

That's why I am on the fence -
I really don't know much about these exhibitions.
Who visits, who exhibits, what are the rules?

And what precisely is the evidence that these fairs
are inherently evil? Beyond the obvious pacifist stance.

I am reluctant to just go with 'oh they are all corrupt'.