Nominations for the Liberal Democrats’ Blog of the Year Awards 2009 closed on 4 September. Since then, the judges (Tom Brake MP, Ryan Cullen, me, Meral Ece OBE, Lynne Featherstone MP, Alix Mortimer, Stephen Tall, Cat Turner and Paul Waugh) have been poring over the entries for the six categories.

It’s been a big task, and a fun one, to distil so many excellent examples of Lib Dem blogging and e-campaigning into lists of the five best.

Congratulations if you’ve been shortlisted, but if you haven’t: remember that the shortlists are based on the judges’ subjective opinions. The awards are intended to be a fun way to celebrate the talent in the Lib Dem blogosphere, whilst introducing you to some blogs you might not have read before.

First, a reminder that the winner of the Best non-Liberal Democrat politics blog category will be decided by a public vote here on Liberal Democrat Voice, so please have a read of the nominated blogs and then head on over to the sidebar to cast your vote.

Next, a plug for the awards ceremony itself. If you’re coming to party conference in Bournemouth, do head along to Old Harry’s Bar in the Marriott Highcliff Hotel from 9.45pm on Sunday 20th September.

Now, without further ado, here are the shortlists: (Drumroll, please)

Best new Liberal Democrat blog (started since 1st September 2008)
Charlotte Gore
Freedom Central
Himmelgarten Cafe (Costigan Quist)
Lamp of Liberty (Alexander Ryland)
Mark Reckons (Mark Thompson)

Best blog from a Liberal Democrat holding public office (The Tim Garden Award)
Brian Robson – Lee Green Councillor
Cllr Fraser Macpherson – Lib Dem Councillor for Dundee’s West End
Cllr Pete Pattisson: Change for good!
Peter Black AM
What Oor Willie Did Next – Willie Rennie MP

Best use of blogging/social networking/e-campaigning by a Liberal Democrat
Councillor Daisy Benson for her Facebook consultation on private rented housing in Reading.
Jo Swinson MP for her live-tweeting from Parliament, plus engaging with the public through Facebook and website.
Mark Thompson for the post: Has our electoral system contributed to the MPs expenses scandal? which was picked up by the national press.
Steve Webb MP for carrying out the first Facebook surgery.
WelshlibdemTV for the YouTube video: Hyprocrite Plaid and Labour protesting.

Best posting on a Liberal Democrat blog (since 1st September 2008)
Charlotte Gore MP? Let’s hope not (Charlotte Gore)
Has our electoral system contributed to the MPs expenses scandal? (Mark Thompson)
Kids told cupcakes and consoles as bad as smoking (Himmelgarten Cafe)
On the Power of Women (Charlotte Gore)
Parliament, The Telegraph and Jo Swinson (James Graham)

Best non-Liberal Democrat politics blog
Crust of the Grouch (Lady Schwarz)
J. Arthur MacNumpty (Will Patterson)
Sharpe’s Opinion (Stuart Sharpe)
Slugger O’ Toole
Tory Troll (Adam Bienkov)

Liberal Democrat Blog of the Year
Caron’s Musings (Caron Lindsay)
Charlotte Gore
Himmelgarten Cafe (Costigan Quist)
The Very Fluffy Diary of Millennium Dome, Elephant
Quaequam Blog! (James Graham)

Those are the shortlists – find out the winners on Sunday. In the meantime, vote now for the best non-Liberal Democrat politics blog: the poll’s in the sidebar to the right of this post.

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