HSDC is proud to announce that Maya Choudhury, a first year A Level student at Havant Campus, has officially launched her campaign to be elected to the UK Youth Parliament (YP).
The Youth Parliament was formed in 2000 as a method to amplify the voices of young people nationwide. Maya, who went to the Portsmouth Grammar School before joining HSDC last September, is deeply passionate about ensuring that young people from all backgrounds are properly represented and empowered to influence the decisions that shape their lives.
Maya is currently undertaking A Levels in Politics, English Literature and Sociology, subjects that not only reflect her academic interests but also her deep commitment to understanding society and making positive changes in the world.
Alongside these studies, Maya is already a powerful advocate for youth voices in the region. She currently serves as an NHS Youth Ambassador and has been Chairperson of the Portsmouth Youth Cabinet since April 2025. These roles have enabled her to develop her leadership, public speaking and event-planning skills – from chairing Cabinet meetings to speaking at the Mayor Making Ceremony, Maya has embraced opportunities to represent the needs and ambitions of Portsmouth’s youth.
Recently, we spoke to Maya about her time at HSDC and her campaign for Youth Parliament.
Q: Politics, English Literature and Sociology: What inspired you to study these three A Levels at HSDC?
“I’ve always been interested in making a change, and have kept up to date with politics and current affairs from a young age, so Politics A Level was an obvious choice for me. During my time at The Portsmouth Grammar School, I discovered my love of reading and analysing texts, inspiring me to take this further to an English Literature A Level. I’ve found that studying Sociology links very closely to my other two subjects, as it provides me with better insights and context that I would otherwise not have.”
Q: What’s been your favourite part of studying at HSDC so far?
“My time at Havant has been fantastic so far! Even when I’m not in class, the campus has such a healthy and welcoming working environment, and the genuine support from teachers makes a real difference too. You can tell just from meeting them that they want you to do as well as you can, and that’s reflected in their teaching. Also, I have to mention the food – it’s great!”
Q: Alongside running for YP, you’re also Chairperson of Portsmouth Youth Cabinet, can you tell me a bit more about that?
“I’ve been involved in the Portsmouth Youth Cabinet since Autumn 2024, so this all started when I was still at school. I’d been interested in the Cabinet for a while, so when a space for a representative opened at my school, it was very exciting! This was a fantastic new experience for me, and I was elected to the role of Chairperson in April 2025. As Chair, I’ve been given so many opportunities, including improving my public speaking skills when chairing meetings, helping to plan the end of year celebrations, being a judge at a public speaking competition, and even making a speech at the Mayor Making Ceremony!”
Q: What inspired you to run for Youth Parliament?
“During COVID, I met someone who ran for YP, and it was simply fascinating to see somebody engage with young people in such an exciting way. The work that you get to do to ensure that young people are heard is incredible, and it’s a great way to get these issues on the table, not just in Portsmouth but across the entire country.”
Q: Are there any particular issues that you feel strongly about?
“My campaign slogan is ‘Letting Young People Shape The Blueprint Of Their Future’, and to me this means improving the opportunities and services available to young people across the country. Regardless of their background, I believe that young people should be able to access the support they need, with mental health services being a key priority here. Public transport should be reliable and affordable, which is an issue that’s come up a lot as I’ve spoken to the youth in the local area. Schools also have a part to play as being hubs of wellbeing for their students. I’ve faced barriers myself growing up, so I know how it feels when public services are designed without the interests of young people in mind.”
Q: How important is it for young people to engage in politics and learn more about
social issues?
“I think this is very important, especially since it was recently announced that 16 and 17 year olds will win the right to vote in all UK elections. In general, I think that education on civic issues should be a core part of the national curriculum from a younger age, because these issues affect everyone. With votes at 16 coming into play, this is a fantastic opportunity to widen democracy, and a structured education on these issues will set young people up with skills and knowledge for life.”
Q: What are your plans for the future, once you leave College?
“After I leave College, I would love to study something linked to politics at university, but am also keen to keep my options open for different opportunities. A lot of young people don’t know what they want to do, and that’s absolutely fine! As long as they are provided with the opportunity to flourish after leaving education, that’s what matters.”
HSDC is incredibly proud of Maya, and wishes her all the best as she takes on the election! Her story, along with so many others at the College, is a testament to the welcoming, aspirational and supporting environment that is fostered at HSDC to allow young people the chance to thrive.
Voting takes place from 18 – 26 February 2026.