Politician of the year for 2009 is, er…

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

Congratulations should go to the Political Studies Association for making the common sense decision not to reward the polical establishment with their “Politician of the Year” award this year.

It’s the first time in the organisation’s eight year history that it will not give the award after the panel of judges decided that no leading figure had been deserving enough in 2009.

Awards in the areas of Lifetime Achievement in Politics, Parliamentarian of the Year, Backbencher of the Year, Political Programme of the Year, Political Publication of the Year, Political Journalist of the Year and Best Political Satire will still be presented – and are likely to focus on the main democratic issue of the year: expenses.

Perhaps, though, in the political and democratic context, the Politician of the Year award should be exchanged for one which recognises the work of specific campaigners who have worked hard to promote the accountability of our elected officials

Heather Brooke is such an example. Ms Brooke runs the Your Right to Know website, and earlier this year won a High Court case against the House of Commons for the full disclosure of second homes allowances. The ruling was the driving force behind the resulting reform of the Parliamentary expense system.

Leave other suggestions for this or any of the other awards in the comments…