Children's question time panel in House of Commons criticised as too white and too male

The Children’s Forum event on Thursday May 17 saw more than 100 nine to 12-year-olds, their teachers and parents quiz politicians in a Houses of Parliament committee room.

But a parent criticised the choice of panellists – who were all white, all affiliated with the Conservative Party and only one was female.

The event was organised by the Children’s Forum, a charity organisation which is part of The Young Adult’s Forum. Their aim is to give children a space to ask questions, raise awareness on current issues, and inspire the next generation of politically-minded individuals.

The politicians spoke to a packed room of pupils and parents.

The panel was chaired by Iain Duncan Smith, MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, and the panellists were Keith Prince, GLA member for Redbridge and Havering, Cllr John Moss, a Waltham Forest councillor for Larkswood, Nick Gibb, MP and education minister, Andy Cook, chief executive of think tank Centre for Social Justice, Kelly Tolhurst, MP for Rochester and Strood and Lee Scott, former MP for Ilford North.

But although they claim they did not recieve the hard copy invitations sent through the post in April, the likes of Labour MP David Lammy and Labour MP John Cryer were all invited.

One father, who home schools his daughter, said: “It was an utter disgrace. At least 50 per cent of the audience was black.

“There wasn’t a single black representative on the panel. At least half of the audience was female, there was one female panellist. It was appalling.”

He added: “Another thing, there was no debate. It was pro-Brexit, pro-grammar schools and totally one-sided. It was a joke.”

Those invited also included Esther McVey, Conservative MP for Tatton and Sadiq Khan, Labour Mayor of London.

Organisers explained they had invited a number of MPs from different parties and ethnicities along to the event but as this was the first event of its kind, many did not respond or were unavailable to attend.

They added that they had been faced with a choice of cancelling the event at last minute, or letting the event for more than 100 excited school children go ahead. They chose for the latter option.

The children, from five London primary schools and some home-schooled pupils, quizzed politicians on issues surrounding Brexit, education and youth violence.

Pupils asked questions such as “How will Brexit affect our trade with the European Union?”, “Why are there not more grammar schools in South London?” and “What are the government doing to stop people carrying knives?”

Mr Duncan Smith chaired proceedings, inviting panellists to answer the children’s questions and asking the children to tell the panellists their views.

Mr Duncan Smith, MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, spoke to primary school children at the event.

He said: “The children did very well. We’ve done this with sixth formers before, and they’re fine. But this was a bit of an experiment. It was a test of how they react at this age.

“They’re obviously watching the news, they’re engaged and full of questions.”

The event was the first of its kind and Mr Duncan Smith expressed interest in running similar events on a yearly basis.

He said he would like to get Chingford schools involved in future events to engage more young people.

Richard Kays, one of the event’s co-organisers, addressed the children and said: “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. You are tomorrow’s leaders and tomorrow’s game changers. You matter and we need to hear your voice.”