The
Political Book
Awards 2014
In association with Politicos.co.uk
About the awards
The Paddy Power Political Book Awards in association with Politicos.co.uk seeks to recognise the very best in political writing and publishing. Winners across nine categories will be chosen by our panels of political celebrity judges with prizes kindly donated by Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC.
Award categories
Political Book of the Year
The Political Book of the Year will be awarded to the book deemed to have been the most impressive political book published in the past year, or that which has had the most overall impact on politics, political thought and/or political debate. The book will have been widely read, discussed, and will have made a significant contribution to British political debate this year. It will be original and have broken new ground in the field of political writing. It will be superbly written, thoroughly researched, accessible, engaging and enthusiastic. There is a prize of £10,000 for the winner of this award, kindly donated by Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC.
The judges include...
Lord Ashcroft
Politician, international businessman and philanthropist
Mary Beard
Classicist and author
Carolyn Quinn
Radio presenter
Keith Simpson
Politician and historian
Peter Riddell
Journalist and author
Chris Bryant
Politician
Debut Political Book of the Year
The Debut Political Book of the Year Award will be presented to author of the book judged to have been the most impressive debut by an author of any age. The book will be the first to have been published by the author, and will be well written, clear, show a natural flair for political writing and demonstrate personality and skill. The author will have brought a fresh perspective and expertise to the subject at hand, and illustrate the potential for further political writing in the future. There is a prize of £3,000 for the winner of this award, kindly donated by Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC.
The judges include...
David Trimble
Former First Minister of Northern Ireland
John Pienaar
Chief Political Correspondent, Radio 5 Live
Jo Phillips
Journalist and author
Political Biography of the Year
The Political Biography of the Year Award will be awarded to the author of a biography or autobiography of a political figure which is superbly well written, accessible, appealing, thoroughly researched, and drawing on a number of resources, both primary and secondary. It will be analytical, reflective, contextual, informative, illustrative, balanced and show an enthusiasm for its subject. Ideally it will bring to light previously unknown information about its subject, doing so in a thought-provoking, inspiring manner. It should address the political context surrounding its subject, as well as the subject itself.
The judges include...
Steve Norris
Businessman and former MP
Glen Oglaza
Political journalist
Jacqui Smith
Former Home Secretary
Darren Henley OBE
Managing Director of Classic FM
Polemic of the Year
The Polemic of the Year Award will be presented to the author of a book deemed to have presented the most important case of debate. The book will be a thorough and complete argument of its case and will have sparked discussion, been covered widely, be persuasive, show personality and have the power to bring readers round to its way of thinking. Ideally it will have covered previously uncharted ground, or presented a familiar issue in a fresh light. The book should strike a balance between being informative and sustaining its line of argument.
The judges include...
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown
Journalist and political commentator
James O’Brien
Radio presenter
Isabel Hardman
Political journalist
Nick de Bois
Politician
Political History Book of the Year
In association with News UK
The Political History Book of the Year Award will be presented to the author of a book judged to have delivered the most impressive piece of political historical writing in the last year. The book can cover any period of history and will clearly demonstrate the political significance of the time in question. The account will be analytical, informative, thoroughly researched, well-written, accessible and appealing. Ideally it would bring to light fresh information on the period it covers, or display an original format. It will show expertise and above all enthusiasm.
The judges include...
Keith Simpson
Politician and historian
Caroline Shenton
Winner of the Political Book of the Year 2013
Stephen Twigg
Politician
Philip Cowley
Professor of Parliamentary Government
International Affairs Book of the Year
The International Affairs Book of the Year Award will be awarded to the author of a book which has most comprehensively addressed the international issues of any region, whether these be the topics already dominating the agenda or those lesser known. The book will have addressed its subject in an accessible format, and brought to wider attention the issues under discussion. It should demonstrate expertise, fresh perspective, forward thinking and a comprehensive analysis of the matter at hand, and will be a valuable contribution to the current body of literature on international affairs.
The judges include...
Catherine Mayer
Author and journalist
Sir Ming Campbell
Politician
Sir Christopher Meyer
Former British Ambassador to the US
Andrew Mitchell
Politician
Francis Elliott
Political journalist
Practical Politics Book of the Year
The Practical Politics Book of the Year Award will be given to author of a book which has analysed, explained and made accessible the structures and processes of politics, either current or past. It will be well written, clear, analytical, contextual, timely and thoroughly researched, drawing on a number of sources. It will have brought the finer details of the political process to wider attention and shown an enthusiasm for its subject, striking a balance between informing, analysing and sustaining a line of argument.
The judges include...
Baroness Grender of Kingston Upon Thames
Liberal Democrat Life Peer
Tom Harris
Politician
Baroness Shephard of Northwold
Author and former Secretary of State for Education
David Hencke
Political journalist
The Political Humour and Satire Award
In association with The InterContinental London Westminster
The Political Humour/Satire Book of the Year Award will be presented to the author of most witty and/or intelligently satirical political book of the year. The book should be able to raise a smile whilst also conveying a serious and thought-provoking political message. It will be original, entertaining and above all it will make the judges and the reader laugh. It should cover a subject that the reader can identify with, and make the issue at hand more accessible through wit, without demeaning it.
The judges include...
Guto Harri
Director of Communications, News UK
Jerry Hayes
Lawyer and former politician
Andrew Pierce
Political journalist
Zoe Williams
Journalist
Ann Treneman
Parliamentary sketchwriter
Political Fiction Book of the Year
The Political Fiction Book of the Year Award will be given to the author of a book which is gripping, engaging and well written. The book will be original, or have provided a fresh twist to the existing political fiction market. It should be relatable to current political issues as well as thought-provoking and entertaining. It should convey a strong political message to the reader, and above all should draw the reader in and be a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The judges include...
Edwina Currie
Author and former politician
Jackie Ashley
Journalist and broadcaster
Daisy McAndrew
Political journalist
Anne Alexander
Political Reporter
Hugo Rifkind
Columnist and author
Lifetime Achievement Award in Political Literature
The Lifetime Achievement Award in Political Literature will be presented to an author with sustained influence and popularity in the field of political literature over a significant period of time. Their published works will have covered a range of topics and they will have made a significant contribution to global political debate. They should be a respected and well recognised figure in the field, and have broken new ground in political writing. They must have demonstrated a sustained commitment to and enthusiasm for political writing.
Venue and ceremony
- BFI IMAX
- 19.03.2014
The awards ceremony will take place at the BFI IMAX cinema on the 19th March 2014. Featuring a glamorous compére, high-profile judges and announcers for each award as well as the best political writers around.
Submit an entry
A word from our sponsor
The insight, skill and wit of political authors should be celebrated, which is why we’re delighted to sponsor the Political Book Awards.
We were one of the first bookmakers to offer betting based on the political landscape and have enjoyed speculating on both the domestic and international scene ever since. Our aim in this area has always been to spark debate and get people talking, as well as bring a bit of fun to affairs of state, so we hope that the Paddy Power Political Book Awards in association with Politicos.co.uk will continue to do just that.
Paddy Power is a leading business in the betting and gaming sector with over 450 shops in the UK and Ireland, rapidly expanding mobile and online channels, as well as gaming and B2B ventures across Europe, Australia & Canada. Paddy Power takes an unconventional approach to betting and gaming within the industry, offering customers an unparalleled experience based on providing maximum entertainment and value. Headquartered in Dublin, Paddy Power is publicly quoted on both the Irish and London Stock Exchanges
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If you have any further queries about The Political Book Awards, please contact Katy Scholes at katy.scholes@politicalbookawards.com or by calling 020 7091 1264.