Liam McArthur named MSP of the Year at Holyrood Political Awards

Lib Dem Liam McArthur has been named MSP of the Year at this year’s Holyrood Garden Party and Political Awards.

McArthur, whose assisted dying bill is currently making its way through parliament, was recognised by the judges for the way he had sought to build consensus and address concerns about the proposed legislation.

Other winners included Tory MSP Tess White who was named Backbencher of the Year and Elena Whitham, who won Speech of the Year for her contribution during the assisted dying debate.

Former presiding officer George Reid, who died last month at the age of 86, was posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement award for his huge contribution to Scottish politics.

Former Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, who was sacked during a Labour re-shuffle earlier this month, was named Best Scot at Westminster while Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie won the Political Hero award.

Mandy Rhodes, Holyrood’s managing director, said: “Now firmly established as one of the highlights of the Scottish political calendar, this year’s Holyrood Garden Party and Political Awards was another huge success.

“I’d like to offer my congratulations to all our winners. As in years gone by, our judges had a difficult time choosing a standout winner in many of the categories where the standard of the shortlist was incredibly high. Our final list of winners reflects the high calibre of parliamentarians across all parties at Holyrood.

“A special mention must go to George Reid, who won this year’s Lifetime Achievement award. George was a much-valued friend and confidant who gave me great support over the years. He knew he was to be this year’s winner of the award and was absolutely delighted.

“I am very sad that he died before we were able to give him the award, but I am glad he knew how highly regarded he was across parties for the contribution he made to Scottish politics.”

Other winners on the night included Labour’s Paul O’Kane who was named One to Watch, while SNP business minister Ivan McKee picked up the Business of Politics awards.

 

The full list of winners is as follows:

 

Lifetime Achievement Award 

In association with Royal Bank of Scotland 

Sir George Reid 

 

One to Watch 

In association with Forth Ports and AGS 

Paul O'Kane MSP 

 

Political Staffer of the Year 

In association with Association for project management 

Lynn Benevento  
(Staffer for Ruth Maguire MSP) 

 

Tweet of the Day 

Emma Roddick MSP 

 

Speech of the Year 

In association with TCS 

Elena Whitham MSP 

 

Backbencher of the Year 

In association with Budweiser  

Tess White MSP 

 

Flushable Motion  

Douglas Lumsden MSP 

 

Best Scot at Westminster 

In association with Chivas Brothers  

Ian Murray MP 

 

Open all Hours Award 

In association with Warmworks 

Pam Gosal MSP 

 

Powering Change Award 

In association with SSE 

The Finance and Public Administration Committee 

(Convener: Kenneth Gibson MSP; Members: Michael Marra MSP, Ross Greer MSP, Craig Hoy MSP, John Mason MSP, Liz Smith MSP, Michelle Thomson MSP) 

 

Political Hero of the Year 

In association with Diageo 

Jackie Baillie MSP 

 

Business of Politics 

In association with Salmon Scotland 

Ivan McKee MSP 

 

Green Giant Award 

In association with Lumo 

Ross Greer MSP, Jackie Baillie MSP, and Pam Gosal MSP 

 

MSP of the Year 

In association with Coca Cola  

Liam McArthur MSP