Nominations for the Liberal Democrats’ Blog of the Year Awards 2012 closed on 14 September. Since then, the judges, Kirsty Williams (Assembly Member for Brecon and Radnorshire and Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats), Nick Thornsby (Lib Dem Blogger of the Year 2011), Tim Gatt (ITV News Digital Output Editor), Stephen Tall (Co-Editor, Lib Dem Voice), Alan Muhammed (Lib Dem Voice’s social media manager), & Helen Duffett (that’s me – Co-Editor (Associate) Lib Dem Voice) have been poring over the entries for the five 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 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.

Next, a plug for the awards ceremony itself. If you’re at party conference in Brighton, do come along to the Pavilion Room, Grand Hotel, Brighton, from 9.45pm tonight, Saturday 22nd September.

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

Best new Liberal Democrat blog (started since 1st September 2011)

Liberal Youth’s The Libertine, edited by Morgan Griffith-David
Liberal Insight by Josh Dixon
Working Memories by Maria Pretzler

Best blog from a Liberal Democrat holding public office (The Tim Garden Award)

The View from Creeting St Peter by Parish Councillor Mark Valladares (Creeting St Peter, Suffolk)
Stephen Williams’ Blog by Stephen Williams MP (Bristol West)
A Lanson Boy by Cllr Alex Folkes (Launceston Central)
Lynne’s Parliament & Haringey Diary by Lynne Featherstone MP (Hornsey & Wood Green)

Best use of social media/campaigning by a Liberal Democrat (The Andrew Reeves Award)

No to the Pasty Tax by Cllr Alex Folkes
Bears for Belarus by Liberal Youth
Tim Farron’s twitter feed “for engaging with anyone and everyone, and for admitting when he’s wrong”
Julian Huppert’s “one man campaign for science and reason in government” on Twitter 

Best non-Liberal Democrat politics blog

Coffee House: The Spectator Blog
Everyday Sexism
Stumbling & Mumbling
A Burdz Eye View

Liberal Democrat Blog of the Year 2012

Mark Thompson’s Blog by Mark Thompson
Caron’s Musings by Caron Lindsay
The Ramblings of Neil Monnery by Neil Monnery
A View from Ham Common by Richard Morris

Those are the shortlists – find out the winners tonight.