Member News
A parliamentary researcher to a Lib Dem MP won three prizes at last night's Dods Parliamentary Researcher of the Year Awards.
Erin Harvey, who works for Gordon Birtwistle, was named Lib Dem researcher of the year.
She also won the Federation of Small Businesses special award and overall researcher of the year.
Held in association with The House Magazine and ePolitix.com and supported by the Federation of Small Businesses, the 5th annual awards ceremony was held yesterday in the Speaker's state apartments in the Palace of Westminster.
Mr Speaker told an audience of more than 150 guests that he had suggested to Dods events staff that the researcher awards be held in his apartments.
Speaker Bercow said he had read many of the submissions from MPs nominating their researcher, and paid tribute to the varied tasks they undertake.
The shortlist of nominees were judged by a panel of MPs including Gisela Staurt, Graham Brady and Charles Kennedy as well as Baroness D'Souza, The House Magazine editor Richard Hall, ePolitix.com parliamentary editor Tony Grew and Federation of Small Businesses chairman John Walker.
The Winners
Liberal Democrat Researcher of the Year
Federation of Small Businesses Award
Overall Researcher of the Year
Erin Harvey, the Liberal Democrat researcher who previously worked for Susan Kramer before joining the Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle in May, stole the show last night where she won three of the seven awards; Liberal Democrat Researcher of the Year, the Federation of Small Businesses Award and the Overall Researcher of the Year Award.
Awarding her the Liberal Democrat Researcher of the Year Award, judges were impressed by the extent to which Erin has campaigned to halt the closure of the Children’s Ward at Burnley Hospital.
It was Erin's proactive and determined approach to secure skills and jobs in Burnley that earned her the Federation of Small Businesses Award. Her achievements included an ambitious project that would see a bridge being built that would link the M60 to an industrial park in the constituency; something that would heavily boost investment and jobs in the area.
In addition to these two awards judges also decided to award Erin Harvey the Overall Researcher of the Year Award.
Conservative Researcher of the Year
A researcher working for the Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris has been awarded Conservative Researcher of the Year at the prestigious Dods Parliamentary Researcher of the Year Awards.
Andrew Sheldon, who has worked as a researcher for the Conservative MP for 8 months, was awarded the title in recognition of his work on the Daylight Savings Bill, a proposal that would see the clocks move ahead one hour to achieve better use of sunlight.
In addition to this the award also highlighted his support for Rebecca Harris' campaign to tackle rogue clampers in the Castle Point constituency.
Labour Researcher of the Year
A researcher working for the Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves has been awarded Labour Researcher of the Year at the prestigious Dods Parliamentary Researcher of the Year Awards.
Louise Tinsley, who has worked as a researcher for the Labour MP for 8 months, was awarded the title in recognition of her parliamentary and constituency work.
The former Bank of England and Home Office economist impressed judges with her expert advice and analysis to the Leeds West MP in her capacity as Shadow Pensions Minister.
Crossbench and Other Parties Researcher of the Year
Plaid Cymru parliamentary researcher Dr Ian Johnson has been awarded Crossbench and Other Parties' Researcher of the Year at the prestigious Dods Parliamentary Researcher of the Year Awards.
Working for three Plaid Cymru MPs, Dr Ian Johnson was awarded in recognition of the role that he has played in support of Plaid Cymru’s three MPs Jonathan Edwards, Elfyn Lllwyd and Hywel Williams.
Judges were impressed by the role that Dr Johnson played in bringing attention to a loophole with the Housing Account Revenue Subsidy Scheme that reportedly takes £100m from Wales each year, judges also highlighted his success in obtaining support from the Labour benches on an amendment to the Fixed Terms Parliament Bill.
ePolitix.com Report of the Year
A researcher working for the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Tom Blenkinsop has been awarded ePolitix.com Report of the Year at the prestigious Dods Parliamentary Researcher of the Year Awards.
Alex Bryce, who has worked as a researcher for the Labour MP for eight months, was awarded the title in recognition of an article written during the 2010 Labour leadership contest entitled 'Labour 'paralysed' by opposition'
The article impressed judges with its frank and insightful assessment of the five leadership candidates ahead of the 2010 ballot as well as discussing the challenges that face the party as a whole.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.