Do you know an inspiring Liberal Democrat?
Has someone in the Party helped you or gone above and beyond for us and deserves recognition?
The Party Awards recognise publicly those who have given the party outstanding service and commitment in the past year. They are presented at Conference and each winner receives a trophy to keep.
You can nominate someone by using our Nomination Portal
The awards up for presentation this time are:
The President’s Award
Eligibility: open to any Party Member elected to public office and who has demonstrated excellence and commitment.
Criteria: the winner will be recognised for outstanding commitment and service to the Party. Local, regional, and state parties should be seeking to nominate people who deserve recognition for their hard work, long service, and demonstrable dedication to the party, at whatever level. It is expected to be special awards to be awarded from the Party for whom public recognition is overdue. Nomination Portal
The Harriet Smith Liberal Democrat Distinguished Service Award
Background: this award is named for Harriet Smith, who campaigned and worked tirelessly for the Party, notably alongside Paddy Ashdown, with the Federal Conference Committee, and in the Bath party. A beloved figure, she is also missed from the Conference revue and by the team at the Liberator Magazine.
Eligibility: open to any Party Member never elected to public office.
Criteria: the Harriet Smith Award shares its conditions with the President’s award. Nomination Portal
The Belinda Eyre-Brook Award
Background: this award is named for legendary campaigner Belinda Eyre-Brook, whose achievements with the Party include being Ed Davey’s agent in 1997, overturning 15,000 Tory Majority, and establishing one of the party’s longest-serving MPs.
Eligibility: given to recognise and celebrate the efforts of people working for our elected representatives in their local areas - from local party employees to political assistants to council groups, to people working in MPs’ constituency offices.
Criteria: the winner of this award will care about their local area and be committed to the success of Liberal Democrats within it. Turning local political priorities into electoral success, and priorities for elected officials is a key part of the work of successful local Party figures - as is linking with the national party. Nomination Portal
The Dadabhai Naoroji Award
Background: this award is named for the ‘Grand Old Man of India’, Liberal MP, and joint founder of the Indian National Congress, Dadabhai Naoroji. His work highlighting the reality of British rule over India and campaign for justice is an example to us all and his place in history, as the first non-white and first Indian Parliamentarian, is assured.
Eligibility: presented annually to the local Party that has done most to promote ethnic minority participants to elected office as Councillors, Assembly Members or Members of Parliament.
Criteria: this award is designed to encourage local parties to work towards the goal of increasing their ethnic diversity to more accurately reflect the areas they represent, and to recognise those that already make a great effort to involve different communities in their work. Nomination Portal
The Penhaligon Award
Background: this award is named for former MP David Penhaligon, a cherished former stalwart of the Cornish Party who took the seat of Truro in 1974. David was a prominent figure in the party and the nation and will always be remembered for his succinct advice to local campaigners: “‘stick it on a piece of paper and stuff it through a letterbox’.
Eligibility: any local Party
Criteria: presented to the local party anywhere in the world which demonstrates the most impressive increase in membership and exemplary activities to deliver and involve members and supporters. It recognises the hard work done to build a Party which is attractive and effective at a local level. Nomination Portal
The Patsy Calton Award
Background: one of our more recent awards, the Patsy Calton is named for the former MP for Cheadle and is presented (and judged) by Lib Dem Women. Patsy was a hugely respected Parliamentarian and her legacy also lives on through her eponymous award given by Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
Eligibility: exceptional women ranging from Councillors, to members, to Parliamentarians.
Criteria: awarded to those who have achieved more for their constituents, the underprivileged in society, or perhaps even taken on government and changed things for the better. More information about the award and Lib Dem Women can be found here. Nomination Portal
Candidates must themselves be party members, and be nominated by a party member.
What is the deadline and when will I find out?
Nominations will close on Monday 26th August 2024 at 23.59. The close of nominations for the Patsy Calton Award is extended to 12 noon on Monday 2nd September 2024.
All nominators will receive confirmation of their nomination shortly thereafter. If your nominee is selected for an award, they and you will be informed by 6th September.