Fergus Ewing, Alison Johnstone and Anas Sarwar up for MSP of the Year Award

SNP backbencher Fergus Ewing, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar are in the running for the top gong at Holyrood’s annual political awards.

Holyrood’s Garden Party will take place in September, with the winners of the awards to be announced on the night.

The trio have been nominated for the MSP of the Year by this year's prestigious judging panel, which includes cross bench MSPs, political journalists, and a former presiding officer.

Meanwhile, SNP MSPs Michelle Thomson and Ash Regan, and Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton are on the shortlist for Political Hero.

And Tory MSPs Russell Findlay and Jamie Greene, and Labour MSP Paul Sweeney are in the running for Backbencher of the Year.

Findlay is also nominated for One to Watch, alongside Net Zero Secretary Mairi McAllan and Labour MSP Paul O’Kane.

Looking towards London, Lib Dem Wendy Chamberlain, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack are up for Best Scot at Westminster.

The Holyrood Political Awards honour the best and brightest of Scotland’s elected representatives over the last year.

After careful deliberation by our esteemed judging panel, the full shortlist is as follows:

One To Watch

Russell Findlay

Màiri McAllan

Paul O’Kane

 

Speech Of The Year

Donald Cameron

Jamie Greene

Michael Marra

 

Tweet Of The Day

Stephen Kerr

Liam McArthur

Douglas Ross

 

The Powering Change Award

Covid-19 Committee

Finance Committee

Public Audit Committee

 

The Green Giant Award

Maurice Golden

Gillian Mackay & Colin Smyth

Willie Rennie & Alex Cole-Hamilton

 

Flushable Motion Of The Year

Stephanie Callaghan

Liam Kerr

Liam McArthur

 

Political Staffer Of The Year

Lesley Gulland (Ian Murray MP)

Roberta Kirosingh (Lisa Cameron MP)

Daniel McCroskrie (Donald Cameron MSP)

 

Best Scot At Westminster

Wendy Chamberlain

Stephen Flynn

Alister Jack

 

Backbencher Of The Year

Russell Findlay

Jamie Greene

Paul Sweeney

 

Open All Hours Award

Foysol Choudhury

Bob Doris

Tess White

 

The Business Of Politics Award

Ivan McKee

Anas Sarwar

MSPs & MPs backing the Highland Green Freeport

 

MSP Of The Year Award

Fergus Ewing

Alison Johnstone

Anas Sarwar

 

Political Hero Of The Year

Michelle Thomson

Ash Regan

Rachael Hamilton