THE cream of the country's elected representatives will gather tonight at a gala dinner where they will learn who has earned the coveted accolade as The Herald's Scottish Politician of the Year.
Since emerging as the biggest party four years ago the SNP have featured strongly, and this year that pattern is likely to continue.
For example, the Donald Dewar Debater of the Year award is certain to go to a member of Alex Salmond’s Government as the shortlist comprises three Cabinet Secretaries – Alex Neil, Michael Russell and Nicola Sturgeon.
The Best Scot at Westminster will be contested by Danny Alexander of the Liberal Democrats, for his meteoric rise to become Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander, and SNP group leader Angus Robertson, the mastermind of the SNP’s Holyrood triumph as campaign director.
Two of the contenders for Newcomer of the Year not only arrived in Holyrood for the first time this year but became party leaders – Ruth Davidson and Willie Rennie.
Ms Davidson’s main opponent for the Conservative leadership, Murdo Fraser features in a new category, Political Impact of the Year, for his radical idea of abolishing his party and launching a new centre-right grouping.
He is up against Labour MSP Patricia Ferguson, who steered her Bill reining in rogue factors on to the Statute Book, and Tricia Ferguson, who is seeking to be a reforming Presiding Officer.
As usual, outstanding councillors and enthusiastic public campaigning will be recognised. The event, in its 13th year, will take place at Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh.
There will be full coverage of the awards in The Herald tomorrow and on the heraldscotland.com website.
l Best Scot at Westminster (sponsored by ScottishPower Renewables): Danny Alexander (LibDem), Douglas Alexander (Lab), Angus Robertson (SNP).
l Donald Dewar Debater of the Year (sponsored by Carillion): Alex Neil (SNP), Michael Russell (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon (SNP).
l Newcomer of the Year: Ruth Davidson (Con), Jenny Marra (Lab), Graeme Pearson (Lab), Willie Rennie (LibDem), Humza Yousaf (SNP).
l Local Government Politician of the Year (sponsored by Improvement Service and Robertson): Michael Cook (Ind Scottish Borders), Michael Foxley (LibDem Highland), David Stewart (SNP Moray).
l Public Campaign of the Year: Argyll Schools, Save Coastguard Stations, RAF Lossiemouth.
l Political Impact of the Year: Patricia Ferguson (Lab), Murdo Fraser (Con), Tricia Marwick (Presiding Officer).
l Scottish Politician of the Year (presented by The Herald): To be announced.
l Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Scottish Gas): To be announced.
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