A POLITICAL whizz-kid hosted an all-party debate in front of a full house at Queen Katherine School.

Tom Latham, 15, organised the Question Time-style hustings event to give young people the opportunity to grill their political candidates.

The 75-strong crowd was made up of all ages, ranging from 12-year-olds to teachers.

Tom, a Member of Youth Parliament, speaking after the event on Tuesday, April 28, said: "It was great. I'm really happy with the turn out and the general level of engagement on real issues. We covered really huge topics and how they affect young people. It is refreshing to see politicians regarding young voters as people and it totally disproves the myth that young people are not interested in politics."

Climate change was the most hotly-debated topic.

Controversy surrounded Ukip's Alan Piper's claim that nuclear power is 'totally renewable' and that it would be 'foolish to leave fracking without trying it' whereas Tim Farron for the Lib Dems proclaimed that they were the real 'green party' and said 'we are screwed' if temperatures keep rising as predicted.

Simon Dunning for the actual Green Party called for small-scale projects within the South Lakeland area, such as micro hydro power for farmers who use a lot of electricity.

Labour's John Bateson declared he was completely opposed to fracking whereas Conservative Ann Myatt announced that she would 'support the development of a nuclear industry' and that it was disappointing that France are now 'selling us back the technology we made'.

The candidates were also asked what the most important function of politics was.

John Bateson said it was to promote welfare for the masses, Simon Dunning prescribed 'social wellbeing', Alan Piper said it was 'to feed the people and keep them safe', Tim Farron pinpointed 'equality of opportunity' and Ann Myatt wants 'the rule of law and defence of the realm'.