Yvette Cooper, live webchat, Tuesday 10 July, 1-2pm

Following on from Pammmy gran, I have a friend whose daughter works for senior politicians and says George Osborne is really good to work for and far nicer & considerate than a recent ex Labour PM who was an unpleasant slave driver. But as an ardent socialist she still wouldn't vote for George.

I think she is more than capable of dealing with the conventional media POGS. I was making a point about social media i.e. blogs, twitter, webchats etc

She has been in politics a long time now, well versed in the media.

At the end of the day she dodged the difficult questions. Typical politician I'm afraid, talk about the opposition because there is nothing to say about her own party.

What would they all do if they were told do not spin, do not be a hypocrite, do not be partisan, do not speak if you have nothing to say.

What would they do if they were told do tell the electorate what your party will deliver, do speak the truth, do behave in a mature fashion, do answer a question without making an opinion on what the opposition are doing,do stop acting like children in parliament, do be honest.

They could'nt cope.

I actually think that she hasn't quite got the genre of social media yet. I find her tweets quite stilted; Ed's are much better.

How weird, just spoken to my best friend whose DIL works at the Treasury..she says Yvette Cooper is a really nice person, one of the nicest ministers..but cant say same about her hubbie!

Are there any statistics about this does anyone know?

I agree we have a lot to thank immigrants for - I think what a lot of people object to are the immigrants who come here and seem to be able to claim benefits without having made a contribution. I appreciate these are probably in the minority but they are the ones that get the publicity. The same as most teenagers are hard working but its only the lazy work shy ones you read about - its what sells newspapers.

I was disappointed that she dodged Troubadour's question about immigration. This is her field as shadow Home Secretary. The Labour Party has been slow to respond to 'immigrant bashing' which is shameful. Think about it - how would the NHS function without nurses and doctors from all quarters of the globe? The hospitality industry seems to thrive on the contribution of young people from the old Eastern bloc, here to improve their English rather than settle permanently. Most of us, if we look far enough back, have very mixed ancestry: Romans and Anglo Saxons were invaders, as were the Vikings and Normans. Other groups have, thankfully, arrived in a more peaceful manner, to make a contribution to our society and economy.

She was mentioned as a potential party leader, but somehow i don't think so...
I would love to take her shopping though!

But not that one!

Typical politician..only answers the questions she can slither out of..god help us ... a Labour government...Cameron get some BALLS!!!

Not at all impressed by Yvette Cooper. Thanks for inviting her in, Gransnet. She certainly picked the easiest issues to reply about, and not very many of them.

No wasn't yours Anagram - it was another one which was much more political.

'Twas only a joke, Mamie! Of course I didn't expect her to answer - although it would have made her seem more human if she'd shown a sense of humour...

I thought her answers were OK on the subject she had come to talk about. I wouldn't expect her to answer questions about other politicians, including Ed Balls. Why should she?

She always looks knackered. Less so that she did in government, but still, knackered.

Yes - and he's very rarely seen in Parliament, even for important votes.
(She didn't answer my question about Ed's haircut, either! )

Nope, no real answers, although we do know she likes growing vegetables. I STILL don't know where Gordon Brown is - or what he's doing!! Possibly best not to know although I wish he'd resign and let someone take over his salary and do something for his constituents

Perhaps she could have dictated her answers and someone at GNHQ could have typed them in for her

slow typist! needs to join a forum and speed up a bit.

Yes I have to agree, there were no real answers at all, she failed to address the things that worry most of us gransnetters, instead using the time to spout the same dreary lines we are all fed up of hearing. Total waste of time.

Oh I forgot to do the link thing

www.gransnet.com/webchats/vince-cable-mp

Although...Vince Cable answered tons of them (including mine ) so maybe not all politicians... http://www.gransnet.com/webchats/vince-cable-mp

I agree POGS I totted up ten questions answered so I think she allowed 6 mins per answer and that's your lot! Anne Widdicombe belted out the answers. She was great. I suppose if you go into a chatroom with a politician this is what you can expect.

Nothing new there then!