Layla Moran facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Layla Moran
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee | |
| Assumed office 9 September 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Steve Brine |
| Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon |
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| Assumed office 8 June 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Nicola Blackwood |
| Majority | 14,894 (32.4%) |
| Liberal Democrat portfolios | |
| 2023–2024 | Science, Innovation and Technology |
| 2020–2024 | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs |
| 2019–2020 | Digital, Culture, Media and Sport |
| 2017–2020 | Education |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Layla Michelle Moran
12 September 1982 Hammersmith, London, England |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats |
| Domestic partner | Rosy Cobb |
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| Alma mater |
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Layla Michelle Moran (born 12 September 1982) is a British politician. She is a member of the Liberal Democrat party. Since 2017, she has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Oxford West and Abingdon.
In September 2024, Layla Moran became the Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee. This committee checks the work of the government department for health and social care. Before this, she held different roles for the Liberal Democrats. She was a spokesperson for education, culture, and foreign affairs.
Moran went to schools in Brussels and Kingston, Jamaica. She studied physics at Imperial College London. She also trained to be a teacher at Brunel University London. Later, she worked as a maths and physics teacher.
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Early Life and Education
Layla Moran was born on 12 September 1982 in Hammersmith, London. Her father, James Moran, was a diplomat. Her mother, Randa Moran, is a Christian Palestinian from Jerusalem. Layla describes herself as British-Palestinian.
Because her father was a diplomat, Layla lived in many countries. These included Belgium, Greece, Ethiopia, Jamaica, and Jordan. She went to private schools in Brussels and Kingston. She also attended Roedean School in Brighton, England.
From 2000 to 2003, she studied physics at Imperial College London. She then earned a teaching qualification (PGCE) from Brunel University London. Later, she completed a master's degree in education at the Institute of Education.
Layla Moran taught maths and physics from 2003 to 2012. She taught at the International School of Brussels and two schools in London. She also worked as a tutor for students taking the International Baccalaureate.
Becoming an MP
Layla Moran first tried to become an MP in 2010 in Battersea. She also ran for a seat in the London Assembly in 2012. In 2015, she stood for election in Oxford West and Abingdon. She came in second place that time.
In 2017, there was another general election. Layla Moran ran again for Oxford West and Abingdon. This time, she won her seat in the House of Commons. She defeated the Conservative MP Nicola Blackwood.
When she was elected, Layla Moran made history. She became the first UK Member of Parliament of Palestinian background. She was also the first female Liberal Democrat MP from an ethnic minority.
Parliamentary Work
After becoming an MP in June 2017, Layla Moran became the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for education, science, and young people. In her first speech in Parliament, she asked for more fair funding for schools. She also spoke out against the closing of children's centres in Oxfordshire.
She was also appointed to the Public Accounts Committee. This group checks how the government spends money.
In 2019, Layla Moran was re-elected as MP for Oxford West and Abingdon. She won with an even larger number of votes.
In 2020, she ran to become the leader of the Liberal Democrats. She came in second place. After this, she was appointed as the Liberal Democrats' spokesperson for foreign affairs and international development. She held these roles until September 2024.
In September 2024, Layla Moran was elected as the Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee. This is an important role where she leads a group of MPs. They look closely at the government's work in health and social care.
Layla Moran has also spoken about the history curriculum in schools. She believes that students should learn about Britain's colonial past. She thinks this will help tackle racism in society. Many people supported her idea with a petition.
Political Views
Environment
Layla Moran supports taking action against climate change. She was the only MP in Oxfordshire to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill. She has also campaigned against new solar farms in her area.
European Union
Moran did not support Brexit, which was the UK leaving the European Union. She wanted people to vote again on EU membership. However, after the 2019 election, she said that the Liberal Democrat policy to cancel Brexit without a new vote was a mistake.
Foreign Policy
Moran was against the 2003 invasion of Iraq. She has also spoken out against cuts to foreign aid, especially for Yemen. She is critical of the actions of Saudi Arabia in Yemen.
Layla Moran believes the United Kingdom should officially recognize the State of Palestine. She has spoken in Parliament about the children killed in the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis. Following the 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas, she condemned Hamas. She also attended events to show support for Israeli victims.
During the Israel–Hamas war, she has called for humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip. She has also urged for a permanent ceasefire. She has spoken about her own family members who live in Gaza.
Moran is also critical of the arms trade between Britain and Saudi Arabia. She is also a critic of Russia. In 2022, she named Russian oligarchs who she believed should face sanctions. She has also supported the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe from prison in Iran.
Housing
In 2020, Moran campaigned against plans to build many new homes in Oxford. In 2023, she encouraged voters to support the Green Party to stop increases in housing in her area.
