November 2003
Zurich and The Herald have announced the winners of the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards. These jointly sponsored awards recognise and reward the highest level of parliamentary performance of Scottish politicians in Holyrood, Westminster and Brussels and are now firmly established in the Scottish parliamentary calendar.
George Reid MSP, Presiding Officer, followed in the footsteps of last year’s winner Malcolm Chisholm, MSP and was awarded Scottish Politician of the Year in recognition of his impressive performance as Presiding Officer, chairing the sessions of a rainbow scottish parliament with new spirited MSPs from minority parties and Independents. Robin Cook was voted Best Scot at Westminster – Robin was also awarded the ‘speech of the year’ at the recent Parliamentarian of the Year awards held in London which were also sponsored by Zurich.
The other winners are:
| Scottish Euro MP of the Year |
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Prof Sir Neil MacCormick |
| Campaigner of the Year |
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Margo MacDonald |
| Donald Dewar Debater of the Year |
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David McLetchie |
| Committee of the Year |
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The Petitions Committee – under the leadership of both John McAllion and Michael McMahon |
| Free Spirit of the Year |
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John Farquhar Munro |
| Election Performance of the Year |
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The Green Party |
| One to Watch |
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Rosie Kane |
Sandy Leitch, Chief Executive of Zurich Financial Services in the UK and Chairman of the panel of judges commented:
"As sponsors of last night’s Scottish Politician of the Year Awards, Zurich was delighted to welcome so many familiar faces as well as meet new friends. Once again this event recognised political excellence at its height, giving a boost to continued political debate throughout Scotland."
During the evening, Zurich presented a cheque for £20,000 to the Princes Trust, in support of the work the Trust does for young people at risk of exclusion and educational underachievers in Scotland.
The gala awards dinner held in Edinburgh was broadcast on Scottish TV last night. Hosted by STV presenter Shereen Nanjiani, award presentations were made by Lord Roy Hattersley; football commentator Archie MacPherson; Herald editor Mark Douglas-Home; presenter Carol Smillie; actors Kathleen McDermott and Martin Compston and Brian Cox and singer Barbara Dickson.
The full nominations are:
Best Scot at Westminster
Gordon Brown
Menzies Campbell
Robin Cook
John McFall |
The Committee Award
Susan Deacon
Fergus Ewing
The Petitions Committee under the leadership of both John McAllion and Michael McMahon |
Donald Dewar Debater of the Year Fergus Ewing
Alex Neil
David McLeitchie |
Election Performance of the Year
The Green Party
Margo MacDonald
David McLetchie |
One to Watch
Ted Brocklebank
Patrick Harvie
Rosie Kane |
Euro MP of the Year
Prof. Sir Neil MacCormick
Struan Stevenson |
Campaigner of the Year
Patrick Harvie
Rosie Kane
Margo MacDonald |
Free Spirit of the Year
Jackie Baillie
Susan Deacon
John Farquhar Munro |
Scottish Politician of the Year
Jack McConnell First Minister
David McLetchie, Leader, Scottish Conservative Party
George Reid, Presiding Officer |
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The awards were judged by:
| Sandy Leitch |
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Chairman of Panel and Chief Executive,Zurich (UK & Asia Pacific) |
| Mark Douglas-Home |
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Editor, The Herald |
| Wallace Dobbin |
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Strategy, Marketing and Communications Director, Zurich |
| Brian Taylor |
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Political Editor, BBC Scotland |
| Murray Ritchie |
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Scottish Political Editor, The Herald |
| Michael Crow |
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Political Correspondent, Scottish and Grampian TV |
| Prof. James Mitchell |
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Head of Department of Government, University of Strathclyde |
| Catherine Mcleod |
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Political Editor, The Herald |
| Bernard Ponsonby |
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Political Editor, Scottish Television |
| Joe Quinn |
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Scottish Political Editor, PA News Ltd |
| Alan Crawford |
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Political Correspondent, Sunday Herald |
-Ends-
For more information, please contact:
Nicola Bryson
Zurich Media Relations
Tel: 01793 503354, or,
Mobile Telephone Number: 07734 336281
Notes to Editor:
Photographs are available on request, please contact: The Herald picture desk
Tel: 0141 302 7000
Zurich Financial Services is an insurance-based financial services provider with an international network that focuses its activities on its key markets of North America, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Founded in 1872, Zurich is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It has offices in more than 50 countries and employs about 64,000 people.
