Salmond sweeps board as Britain’s politician of year

ALEX Salmond was last night named Politician of the Year at the Spectator magazine’s annual awards ceremony celebrating British political life.

The First Minister received the award in recognition of the SNP’s historic victory at the Scottish election, which led to the Nationalists becoming the first single party to achieve a majority at Holyrood.

The Spectator Threadneedle Parliamentarian of the Year awards at Claridge’s also saw another Scot honoured.

Michael Gove MP, the Education Secretary, who is originally from Aberdeen, was named Minister of the Year for the success of his school reform agenda south of the Border.

The Parliamentarian of the Year title was awarded to Baroness Williams of Crosby for her role in forcing the coalition to change tack on NHS reform.

Adam Holloway MP became Back-bencher of the Year for his principled decision to return to the back-benches rather than vote against a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union.

Stella Creasy MP was awarded Campaigner of the Year for her work in fighting loan sharks.

In total 12 awards were presented by the guest of honour, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.