Are problems caused by the unbalanced representation in the House of Commons of different groups in society?
Some problems are certainly caused by the unbalanced representation in the House of Commons. But whilst representation in the House is the direct concern of this Conference, representation in the eyes of the public is another matter, and the media plays a vital part in that wider perception of how representation is interpreted. So whilst having the appropriate number of women, ethnic minority and disabled MPs is desirable in terms of pure representation, their individual voices may be weighted differently within the House and outside the House. 3. If so, what are those problems? 3.1 In terms of representation, no MP stammers audibly – although we believe that Ed Balls has personal experience of stammering. 3.2 Unless an MP stammers, it is unlikely that he or she will empathise with the struggle, frustrations and prejudices people who stammer face in every day life. However, simply having an awareness that people with SLCN exist is very useful because, to most, it is a hidden disability
Some problems are certainly caused by the unbalanced representation in the House of Commons. But whilst representation in the House is the direct concern of this Conference, representation in the eyes of the public is another matter, and the media plays a vital part in that wider perception of how representation is interpreted. So whilst having the appropriate number of women, ethnic minority and disabled MPs is desirable in terms of pure representation, their individual voices may be weighted differently within the House and outside the House. 3. If so, what are those problems? 3.1 In terms of representation, no MP stammers audibly – although we believe that Ed Balls has personal experience of stammering. 3.2 Unless an MP stammers, it is unlikely that he or she will empathise with the struggle, frustrations and prejudices people who stammer face in every day life. However, simply having an awareness that people with SLCN exist is very useful because, to most, it is a hidden disability
