At Autumn Conference (14th – 17th September) the party will be recognising some of those who have given the Liberal Democrats outstanding service and commitment in the past year.

Nominations are now open, so if you know somebody in the Party who you think has gone above and beyond and deserves recognition for it by being awarded one of the six awards listed below, nominate them now!

Nominations close on Monday 26th August 2024 at 23:59.*

Nomination Portal ➜

Award Categories:

The President’s Award

Someone who has been elected to public office and demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to the Party through their hard work, long service, and demonstrable dedication, at whatever level.

The Harriet Smith Liberal Democrat Distinguished Service Award

This award is named for Harriet Smith, who campaigned and worked tirelessly for the Party, notably alongside Paddy Ashdown, with the Federal Conference Committee, and in the Bath party. A beloved figure, she is also missed from the Conference revue and by the team at the Liberator Magazine.

This award shares its criteria with the President’s award but is open to any Party Member who have never elected to public office.

The Belinda Eyre-Brook Award

This award is named for legendary campaigner Belinda Eyre-Brook, whose achievements with the Party include being Ed Davey’s agent in 1997, overturning a 15,000 Tory Majority, and establishing one of the party’s longest-serving MPs.

Given to recognise and celebrate the efforts of people working for our elected representatives in their local areas – from local party employees to political assistants to council groups, to people working in MPs’ constituency offices.

The winner of this award will care about their local area and be committed to the success of Liberal Democrats within it.

The Dadabhai Naoroji Award

This award is named for the ‘Grand Old Man of India’, Liberal MP, and joint founder of the Indian National Congress, Dadabhai Naoroji. His work highlighting the reality of British rule over India and campaign for justice is an example to us all and his place in history, as the first non-white and first Indian Parliamentarian, is assured.

This award is presented annually to the local Party that has done most to promote ethnic minority participants to elected office as Councillors, Assembly Members, or Members of Parliament.

The Penhaligon Award

This award is named for former MP David Penhaligon, a cherished former stalwart of the Cornish Party who took the seat of Truro in 1974. David was a prominent figure in the party and the nation and will always be remembered for his succinct advice to local campaigners: ‘stick it on a piece of paper and stuff it through a letterbox’.

Presented to the local party which demonstrates the most impressive increase in membership and exemplary activities to deliver and involve members and supporters. It recognises the hard work done to build a Party which is attractive and effective at a local level.

The Patsy Calton Award

One of our more recent awards, the Patsy Calton is named for the former MP for Cheadle and is presented (and judged) by Lib Dem Women. Patsy was a hugely respected Parliamentarian and her legacy also lives on through her eponymous award given by Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

This award is given to exceptional women ranging from Councillors, to members, to Parliamentarians, who have achieved more for their constituents, the underprivileged in society, or perhaps even taken on government and changed things for the better. More information about the award and Lib Dem Women can be found here.

*The deadline for nominations for The Patsy Calton Award is 12pm on Monday 2nd September.
Nomination Portal ➜
Both the person being nominated, and those nominating them must be members of the party.

Full details and criteria can be found by clicking here.

These awards will be presented at Autumn Conference on Tuesday 17th September.