Education Secretary and Minister for Women Nicky Morgan has described Loughborough College student Rina Roy as ‘fabulous’ after being joined by her for a Takeover Day.
Rina, 17, who studies four A-levels at Loughborough Sixth Form College, was elected as a UK Youth Parliament Member earlier this year and recently attended a debate in the House of Commons, live-streamed by the BBC.
Nicky Morgan MP said: "I was delighted that Rina Roy was able to join me on my constituency duties as part of the Children's Commissioner Takeover Day.
“Rina and I visited the LGBT centre in Leicester and LAMP Advocacy services - both do great work across Leicestershire and support constituents.
“After speaking to Leicester High School students with my Minister for Women hat on we then visited the Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Training Facility and team in Shepshed which we both found fascinating.
“I think Rina is proving to be a fabulous MYP and I hope one day she might stand for the Westminster Parliament too."
Rina, 17, from Loughborough, added: “This really was an amazing opportunity for me. It enabled me to see first hand just how much is involved in being an MP – and that was only for one day, in addition to the major responsibilities she has as a government Cabinet member.
“I realized the depth of knowledge Nicky Morgan needs to have about everything that is going on in the area. She took a real interest in everyone we met and was so supportive.
“I came away with the sense that our MP really understands young people and feeling even more inspired to enter politics myself and help as many people as I can.”
Rina is one of only 60 UK Youth Parliament members from across the whole of the country to have been invited to celebrations in January marking the 750th anniversary of the De Montfort Parliament of 1265, seen as the earliest forerunner of the House of Commons as we know it today. Meanwhile she is helping build national youth campaigns around a living wage and around mental health.