Dignity in Dying and Kim Leadbeater MP have both won in independent categories at this year’s Pagefield Awards, organised by Pagefield Communications and hosted by Labour Together Chief Executive Jonathan Ashworth.
Kim Leadbeater won the Political Speech of the Year award for her powerful words opening the debate on the Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Commons, whilst Dignity in Dying won the Digital Campaign of the Year.
She said: “We saw Parliament at its best because the tone, the compassion and the understanding that was shown was something we can all be proud of. We don’t always see that in our politics. We don’t always see that in our journalism. So, when it does happen, we need to celebrate it.”
Judged by a panel of 16 leading journalists, the awards, held at One Great George Street in Westminster, London, also recognised the long-term investigative work that led to some of this year’s biggest stories.
In the Scoop of the Year category, Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman won for her eight years of work investigating John Smyth’s abuse and her exclusive interview with the Archbishop of Canterbury ahead of his resignation in 2024.
Meanwhile Sunday Times Political Editor Caroline Wheeler’s decades-long mission exposing the Infected Blood Scandal, which culminated in a compensation scheme for victims finally being announced in 2024, led to her being recognised as the Political Journalist of the Year.
For the second year running, Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP won Frontbench MP of the Year for his successes in one of the most challenging briefs in government, while Sir Ed Davey was recognised as this year’s best Political Campaigner for his attention-grabbing tactics during the general election campaign.
Wes Streeting poked fun at his predecessor Matt Hancock in his video speech, delivered from his office at the Department of Health. He said: "You may know it from a notorious piece of CCTV. But it is the honour of my life to be stood here in this office. The NHS saved my life when I went through kidney cancer. I can't think of anything better than working to save our National Health Service. Whilst I am grateful to the judges, the real prize is still ahead, which is to deliver that change and that legacy. The best is yet to come."
Oliver Foster, Pagefield’s Chief Executive, said:
“The winners - and nominees - represent the very best of UK politics, media and digital campaigning, and it’s a delight to once again have the opportunity to recognise them at the Pagefield Awards. These individuals and organisations have held institutions to account, delivered justice for victims, changed hearts and minds, and lifted the lid on subjects that would have otherwise remained in the dark.”
The full list of winners is:
- Scoop of the Year - Cathy Newman, Channel 4 News Presenter
- Business and Economics Journalist of the Year - Ed Conway, Sky News Economics Editor
- Political Journalist of the Year - Caroline Wheeler, Sunday Times Political Editor
- Journalist Whose Influence Grew and Grew - Venetia Menzies, Assistant Data Editor at The Times and Sunday Times
- Digital Campaign of the Year - Dignity in Dying
- Frontbench MP of the Year - Wes Streeting MP
- Political Campaigner of the Year - Sir Ed Davey MP
- Political Speech of the Year - Kim Leadbeater MP