THE Herald today launches the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards 2011 to mark the efforts of the people you elected to Holyrood, Westminster and your local council.

The event, now in its 13th year, also recognises the group or individual who has championed change through their campaigning efforts.

The gala awards, supported by ScottishPower Renewables, Scottish Gas, Carillion and the Improvement Service and Robertson Group, will be presented at Edinburgh’s Prestonfield House Hotel on November 10.

The ceremony marks the culmination of a year in Scottish politics in which history was made.

The SNP’s landslide victory under Alex Salmond’s leadership in May’s Holyrood election changed the dynamics of the political establishment with one party taking outright control of the Scottish Parliament for the first time since devolution.

It was an extraordinary achievement and even his rivals admit it puts Mr Salmond in pole position to become the first MSP to get the title of Scottish Politician of the Year for a second time.

However, it’s worth remembering that last year’s winner, Hugh Henry, came from Labour’s back benches and the award is judged on a year-long performance.

The consequences of Mr Salmond’s election win resulted in far-reaching changes in the other main parties with all three of the main opposition parties’ leaders quitting.

Willie Rennie is already in place at the head of the LibDems, the Conservative Party’s new leader will be known before the award ceremony takes place and only Labour will still be going through the election process.

However, that gives a chance for Mr Rennie or the new Tory leader to win in a couple of this year’s categories, Newcomer of the Year or Political Impact of the Year.

MSPs such as Labour’s Jenny Marra, Kezia Dugdale and Graeme Pearson, the Conservative Party’s Ruth Davidson and the SNP’s Humza Yousaf and Derek MacKay, among the many others elected in May, are also likely to feature on the long-list of candidates presented to the judging panel.

New this year is the Political Impact category and Ms Davidson, as well as her rival for the Tory Party leadership Murdo Fraser who plans to disband the party and create a new right-of-centre party if he wins, could both feature.

Other candidates for the award include Tricia Marwick for becoming Holyrood’s first female Presiding Officer and who immediately outlined plans to revitalise First Minister’s Questions and reform how committees go about their work.

Maryhill MSP Patricia Ferguson may also be a contender after successfully introducing the Property Factors Bill to make life difficult for rogue factors who have been able to charge exorbitant costs for shoddy work.

And, though no longer at Holyrood, former Anniesland MSP Bill Butler successfully introduced legislation reforming the law on damages for wrongful death, making it easier for families of victims of industrial accidents and disease to get compensation.

Because of the election and the inexperience of such a large group of MSPs elected only a few months ago, the favourite to win the Donald Dewar Debater of the Year title may come from party veterans such as the SNP’s John Swinney, Nicola Sturgeon or Michael Russell, Labour’s Jackie Baillie or from the Tory benches Annabel Goldie, David McLetchie or Murdo Fraser.

Other categories include Best Scot at Westminster where Danny Alexander, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, is a key member of the Coalition Government and plays a vital role in its survival.

Among others, he could have competition from the combative Glasgow South West Labour MP Ian Davidson who chairs the Scottish Affairs Committee.

There has also been the remarkable rise to the Shadow Cabinet after just 18 months at Westminster of Margaret Curran, the new Shadow Scottish Secretary, taking on the leadership of at a crucial time with a referendum looming.

There will also be a Lifetime Achievement award for the man or woman who has made a valuable and lasting contribution to political life and a Local Politician of the Year accolade for the person who has demonstrated outstanding public service to their community.

In addition to the political awards, there is recognition for members of the public who have campaigned for issues close to their hearts.

There is a lengthy list of campaigns this year including the fight to save Scotland’s RAF bases, successful efforts to retain both Stornoway and Shetland coastguard stations, the Renfrewshire parents who prevented their local council from cutting the number of teachers in their classrooms, another successful fight to prevent school closures in Argyll, the NUS battle against tuition fees and the thousands of fans who helped X Factor hopeful Gamu Nhengu win her and her family’s fight against deportation.

The categories

Scottish Politician of the Year (presented by The Herald)

Best Scot at Westminster (sponsored by ScottishPower Renewables)

Public Campaign or Campaigner of the Year

Donald Dewar Debater of the Year (sponsored by Carillion)

Political Impact of the Year

Local Politician of the Year (sponsored by Improvement Service and Robertson Group)

Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Scottish Gas)

Newcomer of the year