THE HERALD today launches the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards 2014 and they are bound to be dominated by Thursday's independence referendum and its outcome.
The awards recognise those at Holyrood, Westminster and the country's town halls and wider communities who have shaped the most momentous 12 months in politics since the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.
The top honours in Scottish politics are supported by RBS, ScottishPower Renewables, NVT Group, the Improvement Service, Thompsons Solicitors and Virgin Trains. Now in their 16th year, they have become a firmly established political highlight of the year.
Winners in nine categories will be announced at Edinburgh's Prestonfield House Hotel on November 20.
Last year First Minister Alex Salmond was crowned The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year, becoming the first three-time winner in the history of the awards.
If the Yes campaign wins the vote in favour of independence, he would be a strong contender again this year, along with his deputy Nicola Sturgeon, another former winner.
But if the Better Together campaign overcomes recent jitters and prevails, great credit will go to both Alistair Darling and his great rival Gordon Brown for putting his shoulder to the wheel in the final stages.
Other Labour politicians could also come into the reckoning, Douglas Alexander for thoughtful contributions to the debate and Jim Murphy for his gruelling soapbox tour the length and breadth of the country. The Best Scot at Westminster category will also be hotly contested, with the SNP's Angus Robertson and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander also potential contenders.
This year we have created two new categories, Community MSP of the Year - open to both constituency members and those representing the regional list - and Committee MSP of the Year.
We have also retained the E-Politician award, won for the first time last year by the co-convener of the Greens, Patrick Harvie in recognition of the growing importance of the use of social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, as well as blogging.
In the Local Politician of the Year category, previous winner Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, will be in contention again following the triumph of the Commonwealth Games and his success in securing Glasgow's status in the UK core cities group.
Graham Leech, Virgin Trains' Commercial Director, said: "This has been a year of impassioned discussion about Scotland's constitutional future, among the public and politicians alike. The Herald's Politician of the Year Awards continue to play an important role in recognising some of the key people driving forward this debate and we're delighted to be sponsoring the Best Scot at Westminster category."
A spokesman for the Improvement Service said it was "delighted to be sponsoring the Local Politician of the Year category of the awards, in what has been both an exciting and challenging year for Local Government."
Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower Renewables, said: "2014 has been one of the most significant years in Scotland's political history and ScottishPower Renewables is delighted to be once again playing a role in recognising the achievements of all those nominated."
Patrick McGuire, partner with Thompsons Solicitors, said: "The public have engaged with politics as never before. As Scotland's leading campaigning law firm, Thompson is honoured to sponsor Public Campaigner of the Year."
Ken Barclay, Chairman of Scotland Board, RBS, said: "RBS is delighted to continue our support for The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year awards and particularly the Politics and Business category."
Stephen Park Brown, Managing Director of NVT Group, said: "NVT is delighted to support The Herald Politician of the Year awards for the third consecutive year. We have been inspired by the lively debate about the future of our country and are very proud to sponsor the Donald Dewar Debater of the Year category."
l For information on how to attend the awards please contact Claire Reid on 0141 302 7319 or see www.herald-events.com/politicianawards/categories/
l Scottish Politician of the Year
Presented by The Herald
The MSP who demonstrates the biggest contribution to the political process in Scotland throughout the year.
Previous winners include: Nicola Sturgeon (SNP), Hugh Henry (Lab), Alex Salmond (SNP).
l Best Scot at Westminster
Supported by Virgin Trains
The Scottish MP who has made the biggest impact and had most influence in their role at Westminster, either within their own party or for the country.
Previous winners include: Michael Moore (LibDem), Angus Robertson (SNP), Douglas Alexander(Lab).
l Donald Dewar Debater of the Year
Supported by NVT Group
The MSP who has demonstrated the best debating skills in the Scottish Parliament, either with fellow MSPs or the media. This can be considered on a one speech performance or over the course of the past year.
Previous winners include: Dennis Robertson (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon (SNP), Derek Brownlee (Con).
l Committee MSP of the Year
Supported by ScottishPower Renewables
A new category, this award goes to the backbench MSP who has stood out most in Holyrood's committee system. The winner will be a parliamentarian who has shone in the role of scrutinising legislation, inquiring into public policy and holding ministers to account. They will have a talent for finding the right question in committee meetings and presenting their case in committee debates.
l Community MSP of the Year
A new category that would have been titled Constituency MSP of the Year if Holyrood did not have list as well as constituency MSPs. The winner will be an MSP who has fought hard for people in their constituency or region on a big local issue or high-profile individual case.
l Politics in Business Award
Supported by Royal Bank of Scotland
This award recognises engagement with the business community to create a more business-friendly environment. MSPs, MPs and MEPs are all eligible to be considered.
Previous winners: Stewart Hosie (SNP) and Jim McGovern (Lab), Richard Lochhead (SNP).
l E-Politician
This award will recognise an MSP or MP who has successfully used digital communication channels (Twitter, Facebook, blogs) to connect and interact with both the public and media in a meaningfully way. Previous winner: Patrick Harvie (Green).
l Public Campaigner of the Year
Supported by Thompsons Solicitors
A public award to recognise an individual or group that has best engaged with the political system to change legislation.
Previous winners include: Martha Payne - Never Seconds, Save RAF Lossiemouth, C.Diff Campaigners. l Scottish Local Politician of the Year
Supported by the Improvement Service
This award recognises the achievements of a politician working within one of the 32 Scottish local authorities. The recipient will demonstrate outstanding and innovative public service and commitment to the community they serve.
Previous winners include: Gordon Matheson (Lab) Glasgow, Michael Foxley (LibDem), The Island Councillors.
l Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is not presented on an annual basis but to mark the achievements of an MSP or MP whose political career has a consistent history of service above and beyond the call of duty throughout their career.
Previous winners include: Gordon Brown (Lab), Jack McConnell (Lab), Jim Wallace (LibDem) Sir George Reid (SNP).
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