Youth MP Layan speaks in Houses of Parliament

An upper sixth student from Winstanley College has made her debut in the House of Commons, speaking as a Youth MP.

Layan Hassan who is 17 and previously attended Hawkley Hall, was elected as a Youth MP last year, after a successful campaign centred around inequality, diversity, and inclusivity, which showcased her passion for implementing change in young people’s lives.

A year on, Layan was recently invited along with other representatives from Wigan and Leigh Youth Cabinet to a debate in the House of Commons on Universal Free School Meals.

Eighteen minutes into the debate, Layan was chosen to speak and had the chance to give her prepared speech on standardisation of free school meals. Layan spoke eloquently and with passion about how standardisation of meals demolishes barriers of disadvantage which no young people should have to face.

Layan said of her experience: ‘It was nerve-wracking but extremely exciting to speak in the House of Commons. Tackling inequality is what I have built my political campaign around as I am so passionate about the prospect of equal opportunity for all young people.  Being in such an iconic building added to the experience and it is something I will never forget.’

Layan hopes to go on to university after college to study Law and Politic and has hopes to pursue a career as an MP in the future.