An east London teenager who shares a two-bed council flat with his parents and two brothers has hit back at web trolls who labelled him a “champagne socialist” after he was awarded a place at Eton College.
Hasan Patel, from Leyton, whose father fled poverty in India, became the youngest ever speaker at a political party conference after he made a speech to members of the Labour Party in August.
He has now won a scholarship at Prince William and Harry’s old school after a three-day assessment, including three exams and seven interviews, and will enter sixth form in September.
However, the 16-year-old was forced to hit back at web trolls who he claimed called him a “champagne socialist” after he announced his scholarship to the independent Berkshire boarding school.
He said: “I’ve been called a ‘champagne socialist’ because I’ve been offered a scholarship to Eton College. 1 - I’m a Muslim. Most of us don’t drink. 2 - My free school meals don’t serve champagne.”
Speaking to the Standard, Hasan said he will “still be the same boy from east London when I leave”.
He said: “I’m a boy from a Leyton council estate who receives free school meals. My parents are on welfare.
“My dad was smart and politically engaged but lived in abject poverty in India. The students at Eton are from the most privileged corners of society, we could not be any more different.
“My views may be different to them because my life experiences are very different. Eton is a place where they encourage debate, I genuinely believe I can offer something to the school.”
Hasan, who is a pupil at George Mitchell School, added on Twitter: “I’ve got a scholarship to Eton College for sixth form, I know you may be thinking ‘a Corbynista going to private school, hypocrite!’
“This is an opportunity I cannot refuse and it won’t mean my politics will change. I’ll still be the same kid fighting for social justice. I’ll still be the same boy from east London when I arrive and when I leave.
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“I’m not joining the elite but simply getting an education my family would never be able to afford, paid by the college. I’ll return to my community better armed to tackle the many injustices we face.”
Hasan’s headteacher Saeed Hussain, who mentored the 16-year-old throughout the application process, called Hasan a “truly exceptional young man” and said he is “the type of person who will seize this opportunity”.
He said: “Aside from being incredibly bright he is one of the most engaged and motivated students I have known in my years of teaching. His is a name I expect we will be hearing more of in the future.”
