Political campaigning plays a pivotal role in the responsibilities of any Member of Parliament, and often for those in the House of Lords, too. It extends far beyond the objective of winning votes or elections; it encompasses a broader purpose, such as raising awareness on key issues, enhancing the visibility of a political party, or advocating for meaningful change. 

Crafting a campaign that is authentic, impactful, and engaging is no small matter, particularly when addressing deeply rooted challenges or shedding light on emerging topics. Such campaigns require not only creativity and dedication but also a genuine connection with the public. 

It is with all this in mind that the six nominees for ‘Political Campaigner of the Year’ have been selected. The winner will be announced at the Pagefield Awards on Tuesday, 18th March. 

Nominees for Political Campaigner of the Year:

Nigel Farage MP and Reform UK  

Nigel Farage and Reform UK pulled off a general election campaign upset in which Reform secured more than 14% of the vote, and Farage won a seat in the House of Commons for the first time. They have continued to eat into the polling support for both the Conservatives and Labour in the months since.   

Kim Leadbeater MP  

Kim Leadbeater led a successful campaign to secure MPs backing for her Private Member’s Bill to legalise assisted dying in a landmark moment for the UK. Even more remarkably, the emotive campaign and subsequent debate were marked by a general sense of respect on both sides.  

Sir Keir Starmer MP and the Labour Party  

Keir Starmer and the Labour Party achieved a huge general election campaign victory, overturning 14 years of Conservative government and a landslide majority. 

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson  

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has spoken out this year about disabled access and has campaigned for improved accessibility and better industry standards, shining a light on the systemic issue.   

Sir Ed Davey MP and the Liberal Democrats  

Sir Ed Davey and the Liberal Democrats managed to carve out attention for the Party with general election photo and social media stunts and used the media to ensure they remained part of the conversation. They hugely improved the Party’s standing in 2024.  

Lord Craig Mackinlay   

Lord Mackinlay passionately campaigned to raise awareness of sepsis after his own experience with the disease, receiving a rare standing ovation in the House of Parliament and talking to the media about being the first “bionic MP”.