EDITORIAL COVERAGE

Search to find Scotland's most effective public campaigners
By Douglas Fraser

Publication Date: 13.10.06

THE search is on for the Scotland's most effective public campaigners as part of The Herald's Politician of the Year awards.

For the third year, judges in the scheme - supported by Diageo, the drinks company - are looking for nominations from the public for a campaigner or a campaign that has emerged from the grassroots and had a big impact on the political system.

In previous years the award has gone to a couple whose tragedy turned to a highly effective international movement against gun crime. Ozlem and David Grimason, from Edinburgh, lost their toddler to a stray bullet when a gunfight broke out in the Turkish cafe they were visiting while on holiday. They took the fight back to Turkey and forced the country to rethink its gun laws.

Last year three schoolgirls from Drumchapel were rewarded for highlighting the issue of dawn raids at the homes of their asylum-seeking classmates who were being deported by immigration officers. They brought the issue to Holyrood and lobbied the First Minister directly, piling on pressure for a Home Office rethink.

Others nominated have included hospital campaigners in Lochaber; Shirley and Iain McKie, who campaigned to clear her name against charges of perjury while she was a police officer; and the Make Poverty History campaign, which joined similar movements in 90 other countries to put protests at Edinburgh and Gleneagles at the heart of a global movement in summer of last year.

These are some of the examples that could spark ideas for those who have sought to take on a political issue and demand action from politicians.

They need not be successful, and may still be going on, but judges are looking for innovative techniques, determination and impact on the political process.

Nominations can be sent by October 23, by post to The Herald, or by e-mail to alison.martin@glasgow.newsquest.co.uk.

For the first time in the seven years of the awards scheme, a website has been created for nominations and suggestions. It is at www.theherald.co.uk/politician

The website is also the place for comments on the MSP and MP contenders for the other awards, including the best Scot at Westminster, best debater, best committee contribution and the MSP showing the most free spirit.

There is also the Johnnie Walker Award, in recognition of the MSP who has been making the most progress at Holyrood, as well as the top award for Politician of the Year, which last year went for the second time to George Reid, the Presiding Officer.

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