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Layla Moran

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Layla Moran
MP
Official portrait, 2019
Member of Parliament
for Oxford West and Abingdon
Assumed office
8 June 2017
Preceded byNicola Blackwood
Majority14,894 (32.4%)
Liberal Democrat portfolios
2023-presentScience, Innovation and Technology
2020-presentForeign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
2019–2020Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
2017-2020Education
Personal details
Born
Layla Michelle Moran

(1982-09-12) 12 September 1982 (age 41)
Hammersmith, London, England
Political partyLiberal Democrats
Domestic partnerRosy Cobb
Parent
Alma mater

Layla Michelle Moran (/məˈræn/ mə-RAN; born 12 September 1982) is a British Liberal Democrat politician. She has served as the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for foreign affairs and international development since 2020, and has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Oxford West and Abingdon since 2017.

Moran attended schools in Brussels and Kingston before taking her A-levels at Roedean School near Brighton. She studied physics at Imperial College London and completed her PGCE at Brunel University London. She subsequently worked as a maths and physics teacher. Moran unsuccessfully campaigned as the Liberal Democrat candidate in Battersea at the 2010 general election and in the West Central constituency at the 2012 London Assembly election.

She contested Oxford West and Abingdon at the 2015 general election, coming second. Moran was selected for the seat again at the 2017 general election and was elected to the House of Commons, defeating Conservative MP Nicola Blackwood. She served as the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Department for Education under three leaders from 2017 to 2020, and was spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport from 2019 to 2020. After Jo Swinson lost her seat at the 2019 general election, Moran stood to become the leader of the Liberal Democrats in the 2020 leadership election, which she lost to acting leader Sir Ed Davey. On 31 August 2020, Davey appointed Moran as the Liberal Democrats' shadow foreign secretary, and international development spokesperson the following day.

Moran came out as pansexual in 2020 and is the first UK parliamentarian to do so.[1][2] She is the first MP of Palestinian descent.[3][4]

Early life and career

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Moran was born on 12 September 1982 in Hammersmith,[5] the elder daughter of diplomat James Moran and Randa Moran, a Christian Palestinian from Jerusalem.[6][7][8] Her great-grandfather was the Palestinian writer Wasif Jawhariyyeh, who published extensive memoirs. Moran describes herself as a British Palestinian.[9] On her upbringing, Moran said "My Palestinian background has made me interested at a global level. Politics was always at the dinner table; it primed me to engage."[10] Moran was raised as a cultural Christian and now identifies as a humanist.[11]

As her father was a diplomat for the European Union, Moran grew up in various countries, including Belgium, Greece, Ethiopia, Jamaica and Jordan.[7][12][13] She attended private schools in Brussels, and Kingston, before going to Roedean School in Brighton.[14] From 2000 to 2003, she studied physics at Imperial College London, and from 2005 to 2007 completed a PGCE at Brunel University London. From 2007 to 2008, she studied for a master's degree in comparative education at the Institute of Education (now the UCL Institute of Education).[15]

From 2003 to 2012, Moran was a maths and physics teacher at the International School of Brussels, and at two schools in London: Queensmead School and Southbank International School. Between 2009 and 2013 she worked as a part-time course tutor for Oxford Study Courses, a company that helps International Baccalaureate teachers and students, and from 2013 she was full-time academic manager.[16]

Moran was selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Battersea at the 2010 general election, coming third with 14.7% of the vote behind the Conservative candidate Jane Ellison and the Labour candidate Martin Linton.[17][18] She also stood as a candidate for the West Central constituency in the 2012 London Assembly election, coming fourth with 6.9% of the vote behind the Conservative incumbent Kit Malthouse, and the Labour and Green Party candidate.[19]

Parliamentary career

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Moran contested Oxford West and Abingdon at the 2015 general election, coming second with 28.9% of the vote behind the incumbent Conservative MP Nicola Blackwood.[20]

She was selected for the seat again at the snap 2017 general election and was elected with 43.7% of the vote and a majority of 816.[21][22][23] Moran became the first UK Member of Parliament of Palestinian descent and the first female Liberal Democrat MP from an ethnic minority background.[24]

In June 2017, Moran was named Liberal Democrat spokesperson for education, science and young people in the House of Commons.[25] That month she used her maiden speech to call for fairer funding for schools, and in July 2017 she spoke out against the closure of all the Sure Start children's centres in Oxfordshire earlier in the year.[26][27][28] Also in July 2017, Moran was jeered at for accusing the Conservatives of underfunding a new scheme to provide 30 hours of free child care for the children of working parents.[29][30] Later in 2017, she was appointed a member of the Public Accounts Committee, which is responsible for overseeing government expenditure.[31]

In May 2019, Moran announced that, being a relatively new MP, she would not be running in the 2019 Liberal Democrats leadership election.[32] She had been considered a frontrunner to replace Vince Cable as leader, following his announcement in September 2018 that he intended to step down from the post.[33][34]

At the 2019 general election, Moran was re-elected as MP for Oxford West and Abingdon with an increased vote share of 53.3% and an increased majority of 8,943.[35][36]

In March 2020, Moran announced that she would be running in the 2020 leadership election.[37] Moran finished in second place with 35.6% of the vote, losing to Ed Davey, the acting co-leader.[38]

Moran has also been a leading voice in the call for a full review of the GCSE history curriculum.[39] She argues that to tackle institutional racism in society students must be taught of Britain's colonial past and the injustices that took place within it.[40] In 2020 over 250,000 people signed a petition calling for 'Britain's colonial history to be made a compulsory part of the curriculum' which prompted Moran and 30 other cross-party MP's to apply greater pressure on the government to make significant changes to the history curriculum.

In 2021, Moran was one of three MPs who successfully took legal action against the Department of Health and Social Care over contracts awarded during the COVID-19 pandemic.[41]

Political positions

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Climate change

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Moran supports action on climate change, and was the only Oxfordshire MP to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill.[42]

European Union

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Moran opposed Brexit and supported a second referendum on EU membership. Despite her opposition to Brexit, after the 2019 general election, she said that a Liberal Democrat policy to cancel the departure without a second referendum was a mistake.[43][44]

Foreign policy

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Moran opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq.[45] She opposed cuts to foreign aid to Yemen.[46] She is also critical of Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen.[47]

Moran believes that the United Kingdom should announce recognition of the State of Palestine.[48] She called out the names of the children killed in the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis in Parliament.[49] Following the 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas, Moran appeared and spoke at vigils for Israeli victims in Oxford and denounced Hamas as a terrorist organisation.[50][51]

Moran supported an inquiry into the disappearances of Mohammed Bin Nayef and Prince Ahmed Bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia.[52] She is also critical of the arms trade between Britain and Saudi Arabia,[53] and is a critic of Russia.[54] In February 2022, she used the cover of Parliamentary privilege to name the Navalny 35, Russian oligarchs who, as allies of Vladimir Putin, should have sanctions imposed on them.[55]

Moran is a supporter of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and called for her release from prison in Iran.[56]

During the 2023 Gaza war, she actively advocated for allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza Strip and urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to take a stronger stance regarding the humanitarian crisis.[57] Furthermore, she passionately advocated for a permanent ceasefire, citing the desperate situation of her own family members trapped in Gaza.[58]

Personal life

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In an interview with The Times, Moran stated that she suffered from depression when she was a student and attributed it to a negative self-image resulting from the social stigma of obesity.[59][60] She underwent stomach-stapling surgery to assist her in losing weight.[59][61]

In 2013, Moran and her then-boyfriend, Richard Davis, were briefly questioned by police after she slapped him during an argument in their hotel room at the Liberal Democrat Federal Conference.[59][62] She was initially charged with domestic violence but the case was subsequently dropped.[63]

On 2 January 2020, Moran revealed in an interview with PinkNews that she is pansexual; she is believed to be the first U.K. parliamentarian to come out as pansexual.[1][2] Moran also disclosed that she was in a relationship with former Liberal Democrat press officer Rosy Cobb.[64] The couple lives in West Oxfordshire.[65][66]

In the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, Moran revealed she had extended family stranded in Gaza City.[67] On 15 November 2023, she revealed during a debate in parliament that a family member had died in Gaza.[68]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Duffy, Nick (2 January 2020). "Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran comes out as pansexual: 'Pan is about the person, not the gender'". PinkNews. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Layla Moran: Lib Dem MP announces she is pansexual". BBC News. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  3. ^ "Lib Dem becomes first MP of Palestinian descent". inews.co.uk. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Meet Layla Moran, Britain's first ever MP of Palestinian descent". uk.news.yahoo.com. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  5. ^ Carr, Tim; Dale, Iain; Waller, Robert (2017). The Politicos Guide to the New House of Commons 2017. London: Biteback Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78590-278-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Harding, Thomas (26 January 2021). "Why UK politician Layla Moran brought the keffiyeh to the Mother of Parliaments". The National. Abu Dhabi, UAE. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  7. ^ a b Simons, Ned (7 December 2017). "17 From '17: Layla Moran On Her 'Anarchism' And The Demise Of British Politics". HuffPost. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  8. ^ "Layla Moran". Libdems-org. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  9. ^ Walker, Peter (21 July 2019). "Labour launches webpage in effort to drive out antisemitism". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  10. ^ "Lib Dem becomes first MP of Palestinian descent". inews.co.uk. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  11. ^ HSLD 2020 Leadership Contest Interviews: Layla Moran MP – Interviewed, Wednesday 15th July 2020 by Toby Keynes, HSLD Chair. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  12. ^ Hoyle, Charlie (6 June 2017). "Layla Moran: British-Palestinian, Liberal Democrat, and running for government". The New Arab. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  13. ^ Espinoza, Javier (11 June 2017). "UK general election delivers most diverse parliament in history". Financial Times. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  14. ^ "Heads Weekly Report 16-07-2017". Roedean School. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  15. ^ "Moran, Layla, MP (Lib Dem) Oxford West and Abingdon, since 2017". Who's Who an Who Was Who. 2017. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U289527. ISBN 978-0-19-954088-4. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  16. ^ "Layla Moran's CV". Democracy Club. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  17. ^ "A new look House of Commons?". BBC News. 9 April 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  18. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  19. ^ "Results 2012 | London Elects". londonelects.org.uk. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  20. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  21. ^ "Election results 2017: Lib Dems gain Oxford West and Abingdon". BBC News. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  22. ^ "GENERAL ELECTION: List of Oxfordshire parliamentary candidates published". The Oxford Times. 11 May 2017.
  23. ^ "South Live: Thursday 11 May". BBC News. 11 May 2017.
  24. ^ "Layla Moran becomes the first politician of Palestinian background to stand in parliament". The New Arab. 10 June 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  25. ^ Keown, Callum (16 June 2017). "Newly-elected MP Layla Moran made Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  26. ^ "MP Layla Moran will use maiden speech to call for fair funding for schools". Herald Series. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  27. ^ D'Arcy, Mark (7 July 2017). "Week ahead in Parliament". BBC News. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  28. ^ "Social Inequality (Children's Centres) – Hansard Online". hansard.parliament.uk. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  29. ^ Revesz, Rachael (6 September 2017). "At PMQs today, the treatment of a new female MP showed the Tories' true colours". The Independent. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  30. ^ "I was silenced when I tried to question Theresa May on her broken promise for free childcare. Well, you can't silence me now". The Independent. 7 September 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  31. ^ "Membership – Public Accounts Committee". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 18 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  32. ^ Briant, Nathan (14 May 2019). "MP Moran will not be the Lib Dems' next leader". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  33. ^ "Layla Moran Responds To Lib Dem Leadership Speculation". LBC. 12 February 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  34. ^ Walker, Peter (7 September 2018). "Vince Cable to step down 'after Brexit is resolved or stopped'". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  35. ^ "Layla Moran re-elected with larger majority". BBC News. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  36. ^ "Oxford West & Abingdon Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  37. ^ "Liberal Democrat leadership: Layla Moran enters race". BBC News. 8 March 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  38. ^ Stewart, Heather (27 August 2020). "Ed Davey elected Liberal Democrat leader". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  39. ^ "Specification at a glance". Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  40. ^ "'Decolonise Our Education': Government Responds To Calls To Review History Curriculum". August 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  41. ^ "Coronavirus: 'Right' to delay contract transparency in pandemic, says Hancock". BBC News. 21 February 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  42. ^ "Only one Oxfordshire MP backs climate and emergency bill". Oxford Mail. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  43. ^ "Layla Moran criticises Lib Dems' general election strategy". The Guardian. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  44. ^ "Lib Dems' cancel Brexit policy was a 'big mistake' - leadership contender Layla Moran". Sky News. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  45. ^ Barrow, Simon (20 August 2020). "Leading light? (Interview with Laya Moran)". High Profiles. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  46. ^ "UK cuts direct aid to Afghanistan by 78% at same time as withdrawing military support". inews.co.uk. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  47. ^ "UK government 'phoned Saudi Arabia to apologise' for human rights sanctions". The Independent. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  48. ^ "UK should recognise state of Palestine, argues Layla Moran MP". The Muslim News. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  49. ^ Harpin, Lee (12 May 2021). "MP of Palestinian descent reads out names of Gaza children killed this week". jewishnews.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  50. ^ "MP Layla Moran on 'huge tragedy' in Israel and Palestine". Oxford Mail. 12 October 2023.
  51. ^ "Oxfordshire MP condemns 'dreadful' attacks on Israel". Oxford Mail. 7 October 2023.
  52. ^ Dudley, Dominic. "British MPs Launch Enquiry Into Missing Saudi Princes". Forbes. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  53. ^ "British troops secretly deployed to defend Saudi Arabian oil fields". The Independent. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  54. ^ "Premier League: MPs urge action on Russia-linked football clubs". BBC News. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  55. ^ Whittaker, Rebecca (24 February 2022). "MP Layla Moran says the Government should do "better" and sanction Putin's cronies". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  56. ^ "MP Layla Moran urges Prime Minister to help Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  57. ^ "Layla Moran: My relatives have nowhere to go in Gaza after bombing". 17 October 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  58. ^ Quinn, Ben (19 December 2023). "MPs clash in Commons as government urged to back instant Gaza ceasefire". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  59. ^ a b c Billen, Andrew (23 May 2019). "Layla Moran, her boyfriend, and a slap that haunts her". The Times. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  60. ^ Moran, Layla (11 July 2019). "I know from painful experience how poisonous the debate around obesity is". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  61. ^ Moran, Layla. "Yesterday in amongst the madness, I spoke up about a very personal battle I've had with my weight. I hope it helps to de-stigmatise that I had an operation to help me. It was never a silver bullet, but it worked for me". Facebook. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  62. ^ "Lib Dem MP Layla Moran slapped partner at conference". BBC News. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  63. ^ Walker, Will (24 March 2019). "Oxford MP admits slapping ex-boyfriend in row over computer cable". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  64. ^ Perraudin, Frances (2 January 2020). "Lib Dem MP Layla Moran announces same-sex relationship". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  65. ^ "Layla Moran". www.libdems.org.uk. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  66. ^ Membery, York. "Layla Moran: 'Brexit cost me my savings. I made it back during Covid'". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  67. ^ "Layla Moran: My relatives have nowhere to go in Gaza after bombing". BBC News. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  68. ^ "Layla Moran: MP confirms death of family member in Gaza". BBC News. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Oxford West and Abingdon
2017–present 		Incumbent
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