EDITORIAL COVERAGE

The search is on for Scotland's Politician of the Year
By Douglas Fraser

Publication Date: 22.09.06

THE Herald today launches the Scottish Politician of the YearAwards 2006 which seek to recognise and reward excellence at Holyrood.

The annual awards scheme, nowin its eighth year, is once again supported by Diageo, the world's leading premium drinks company.

As MSPs look towards the Scottish elections next May, this year's contest for the sought-after trophies will be harder fought than ever, providing guidance forvoters on which politicians have been the most effective during the past year.

The gala awards dinnerwill be held at Prestonfield in Edinburgh on Thursday, November 16.

Over the coming weeks, readers will be invited to submit their nominations and views about the most deserving candidates.

In addition to the political awards, once again this year members of the public will be eligible to be entered for The Public Campaign or Campaigner of the Year Award.

This recognises the outstanding contribution of an individual or group in pursuit of a worthwhile cause.

Previous winners include the Scottish parents of a toddlerwho was shot dead during a gunfight in a Turkish bar, and who started a campaign for gun control in that country.

Last year the award went to a group of school pupils from Drumchapel,who fought to protect asylum seekers attending their school while facing deportation.

Other awards include one that recognises the quality of debating; one for outstanding committee work; and the JohnnieWalkerAward for the politician who has excelled in promoting innovative thinking.

Outside of Holyrood, there's also an award for the Best Scot at Westminster. The top award, of Scottish Politician of the Year,was last year given to George Reid, the Presiding Officer,making him the first person to receive the trophy twice.

Other recipients have included Donald Dewar, Jim Wallace, JackMcConnell, Malcolm Chisholm and Margaret Curran.

Audrey Ramsay, corporate relations director of Diageo Scotland, said: "We are delighted once again to partner The Herald in sponsoring this year's Scottish Politician of the YearAwards. "This prestigious event has established itself as a great opportunity for the business and political communities to meet and share experience.

"At Diageo,we believe there is a need to recognise the contribution made by our politicians and these highlyregarded awards bring examples of government success to public attention."

The editor of The Herald, Charles McGhee commented: "As we report today, public confidence in Scotland's parliament is growing and these awards seek to recognise the outstanding achievements of those who have contributed most to the parliamentary process. "We are grateful to Diageo for their continued support of this event which has become the highlight of the Holyrood year."

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