Nominations for Best Writing

Over the next twelve days ConservativeHome will be seeking your nominations and citations for twelve award categories.  These categories (listed yesterday) are part of the Inaugural Conservative Movement Awards.  The conservative movement is defined in a new briefing on the ten points blog.

The award nominations open today with a search for the Best Writer.  We'll be seeking nominations for Outstanding Parliamentarian tomorrow.

Please use the space below to make your nomination and write a brief citation of no more than thirty words on who you think should win the best writing award.  It might be a columnist, an author, a speechwriter or even a blog which hosts a group of writers.

ConservativeHome is barred from being nominated for any of its own awards so the example below illustrates what we are seeking in the thread below...

Nomination: ConservativeHome.com

Citation: For providing an insightful daily commentary on the Conservative Party's personalities, tactics and strategy and for reminding conservatives that conservatism is bigger than the Tory party.

A judging panel (to be announced) will then choose three nominations from each of the twelve categories and participants in May's ConservativeHome Members' Panel will vote on each category.  The awards will be presented at an awards ceremony in London, in June.

Comments

[Matthew Oxley]

Nomination : Daniel Finkelstein

Citation : For providing thought-provoking, well argued, and clearly informed commentary on issues while remaining wholly understandable.

[Donal Blaney]

Nomination: Daniel Hannan MEP

Citation: For his brilliant and revealing insights into the inner workings of the EU and for his principled, cogent and enjoyable Telegraph pieces

[Rick]

Noone beats Mark Steyn - he is simply succinct and clear.

I do however like Peter Hitchens.

[Editor]

BTW: If your ideal nomination has already been mentioned don't worry about making a second or third case for them - it will be helpful to know the extent of enthusiasm for particular candidates...

[Ted]

P J O'Rourke - the master of left baiting, tough no nonsense writing getting to the heart of the matter and highlighting both the wrong thinking and ill effects of much left/socialist activity.

[Suggestion]

Nom: Matthew Parris. Funniest and most accurate writer in politics.

[Tim Aker]

Nomination: Simon Heffer

Citation: For providing a consistently robust Conservative platform of nationhood, patriotism and small government, irrespective of short-term political fads.

[Serf]

Nomination: Mr Eugenides

Citation: For providing the most amusing non stop critique of the Labour Government available.

I also second Daniel Hannan

[Sarkis Zeronian]

I second Mark Steyn, it is just a shame we in Britain now need to access his well-argued and witty comments on global events via the internet. I also miss his cinema reviews in the Spectator.

As a nomination I suggest Boris Johnson, a writer who is not afraid to challenge his own party's received wisdom with a consistently irreverent style (the "Just William" of British political commentators as someone once described him).

[Frank Young]

As incongruous as it seems, I would like to offer my endorsement for...

Nomination: Simon Heffer

Citation: Over the last year he has proved to be the most acerbic, consistent and informative critic of the Cameron crusade. He is as compelling as he is provocative.

[Annabel Herriott]

I second Boris Johnson. No buffoon he, a cleverly used ploy to disguise his stilletto!
Think Bill Deedes deserves a mention too. Insightful, and able to report on history repeating itself. He is acutely aware of the political landscape, and his column is always accurate and makes one think.

[Oberon Houston]

Simon Jenkins is pretty good, and Philip Stephens.

[Andrew Woodman]

I will third Dan Hannan for the same reasons as Donal and the radical thinking and promoting of Direct Democracy.

[Stephen B]

Nomination: Roger Scruton.

For articulating so engagingly what it really means to be a conservative and for being a bulwark against faddish progress.

[James Hellyer]

Nominantion: Fraser Nelson

Citation: his columns and interviews have offered a consistent and thought provoking right wing critique of government policy, the ossification of the EU, and the Conservatives response to these. He also shows a range of subject matter beyond most columnists.

[James Hellyer]

I second Simon Heffer's nomination.

[Brian Jenner]

Quentin Letts
- his writing is sensitive, intelligent and fun.

[Andy Hume]

Nomination: EU Serf (http://www.eu-serf.blogspot.com/)

Citation: For keeping us up to date with the ongoing insanities of the European Union.

Also for setting up the Right Links forum (http://exchange.rightlinks.co.uk) which is worth joining if you have a blog or website and haven't yet done so.

[Chris Palmer]

Nomination: Peter Hitchens

[Matthew Sinclair]

Peter Hitchens? Are you insane?

Sorry... I've missed the point.

I nominate Tim Worstall.

[Matthew Sinclair]

Oh... and Mr. Eugenides rocks. For his rightlinks exchange image alone he deserves a nomination.

[Mr Eugenides]

The praise for my Right Links banner is very kind, Matthew, but misplaced. All you need to do is source an appropriately chubby baby and then slap him a few times until he looks mad*.

My own nominations for best conservative writing would be Tim Worstall, who is always a fount of sound common sense, and the Devil's Kitchen, whose rants against the government are always exceptionally funny - at least they are if you're not offended by swearwords. Lots of swearwords.

* i do not slap babies

[AlexW]

I second Matthew Parris. Even when I disagree with him, he is always an inspiring writer who can make you think and laugh at the same time.

[Rob Largan]

I second the nomination for Daniel Hannan MEP.

[Daniel Vince-Archer]

Nomination: Quentin Letts

Citation: A paragon of humour and balance who continues to set an example that his associates in the right-wing press (hello Simon) would do well to follow.

[a-tracy]

Nomination: Ruth Lea

Citation: Her writing from a Business and Economics view point are spot on.

I like - Peter Hitchen, Richard Littlejohn and Jeff Randall too.

[Simon C]

Mark Steyn: For all the reasons above; for mercilessly & accurately skewering liberal pretensions; for robust assertion of conservatism; for conveying it all on a human scale.

Seconding Fraser Nelson: again, for the reasons already given. His is a fresh, modern voice of authentic conservatism for the 21st century. He is one of the most exciting and well-informed new conservative writers in the press. Understands & articulates the new right as radical, forward-thinking, bold and humane.

Proposing Danny Kruger: Like Fraser Nelson, a compelling new conservative voice in print journalism. He is well-informed, entertaining, rigorous and incisive. It's good to see a new generation of conservative writers emerging. Danny is definitely one to watch.

[Simon C]

"ConservativeHome is barred from being nominated for any of its own awards..."

A good thing, this, Tim, otherwise you would have received serial nominations. Your contribution in this category should not go unremarked. The comments I have posted on Messrs Steyn, Nelson & Kruger all apply to a greater or lesser extent to you as well.

[Andrew M]

Proposing Tom Utley more for championing Conservatism than the Conservative party. His writing is always humorous but relevant to people's day to day concerns. It it grounded in how Government works on the ground rather than abstractly debating issues of policy.

[William]

Christopher Booker in the Sunday Telegraph

The most informed column on the EU in all the media.

Almost the only place you can actually find out the true goings-on. Without him, we'd all be living in ignorance.

Also Daniel Hannan. And Roger Helmer's website...where complex issues are clarified in a couple of paragraphs.

[Richard]

I'd like to second the nominations for Roger Scruton and Peter Hitchens.

The former for upholding an impressive and coherent philosophy of conservatism and the latter for highlighting the cultural destructiveness of the Blair project.

[Richard]

I should emphasise in my last post that I am thinking of their writing style as well as their opinions.

[lambo]

I largely agree with a-tracy's suggestions so:

Nominations: Ruth Lea

Citation: For the constantly high quality of her contributions both in the Daily Telegraph and her CPS work. Her CPS paper on the EU was an exceptional digest.

Nomination: Allister Heath

Citation: Over the last year The Business has produced scintillating right-wing analysis and intellectual rigour sadly missing from most of the rest of the deadwood press. Its clearly the most thought-provoking Sunday read. His Flat Tax book makes the very powerful case for lower and flatter taxes.

Patience Wheatcroft's columns whilst at The Times are also worthy of mention.

[John Hustings]

I can't believe someone nominated Simon Jenkins...

Nomination: Theodore Dalrymple

Citation: For his beautifully written commentaries on arts and culture, revealing the extent of the effects of leftist ideas in degrading British culture.

[John Hustings]

I'd also like to nominate:

Janet Daley, Melanie Phillips and Scott Burgess writing at the Daily Ablution blog.

[Henry Whitmarsh]

Michael Gove, for comparing Thatcherism to Punk.

[Anon]

Those nominating Roger Scruton - where exactly does he write today? I am a great fan of Roger Scruton - but since his unfortunate business with Japan tobacco, his writing is onle seen very sporadically in the British press. His only regular gig is his wine column in The New Statesman. This prize should be for current writing - not for what people have done in the past.

[Sarkis Zeronian]

Anon,

He writes plenty of books still, 3 last year, and still writes for the Spectator every so often.

[Patsy Sergeant]

I second Simon Heffer. He remains true to his beliefs even if he is somewhat acerbic quite often.

I would also like to mention Charles Moore and Quentin Letts. Quentin Letts often uses humour to make his point, and in the process is probably more effective.

[malcolm]

Mathew Parris for exposing the dishonest character of the New Labour leadership over many years.

[William Norton]

I second the nomination of Danny Kruger.

The other writers are all perfectly good when at their best and on top form but Danny is able consistently to combine rigorous treatment with lightness of touch and topical relevance in a context of sound timeless values. Importantly, there is a "hinterland" to his writings which indicates he knows there are more significant things to life apart from what Buggins said Juggins thinks Fuggins is going to do next.

(This exceeds the word limit on nominations, but as a member of the James Review I have devised a special efficiency savings scheme which enables me to boost the productivity of this message and fit in more words.)

[Serf]

Do none of you read Blogs?

[John Hustings]

"Do none of you read Blogs?"

I personally think it would be a good thing if we had separate categories for bloggers and newspaper/magazine columnists.

It seems unfair to me for bloggers to have to compete with the newspaper commentators who for obvious reasons command a much wider readership.

[Simon C]

Bloggers:

Guido - for combining high seriousness with low cunning, broad humour and sharp wit; and an eye for detail with a nose for a scandal, all whilst keeping his ear to the dirtier ground in Westminster, his hands clean, and never mixing his metaphors. He has devloped his blog into a campaigning vehicle & is proving very effective.

Wat Tyler - although I didn't support DD at any stage, he did sterling work. Burning our Money is well-researched & funny.

I am not sure, though, that "writers" is sufficient to encompass their gifts. Sharpshooters? Guerillas?

[Editor]

Bloggers could also win under other categories. I think of One-To-Watch, New Technology Award or Campaigner, for example...

[William Norton]

I thought the idea of separate blogger category was knocked out during Phase II or Troy VIIa or whatever. I share Serf's plaintive cry, but once you lump everything (book authors, journalists, commentators, bloggers) into the catch-all "writers" then, at the moment, newspaper columnists will win out because they're better known and, on the whole, better writers.

I assume "Campaigns" is meant for blogs? Especially since the obvious winner (campaign to keep members' vote for Tory leader) is apparently ruled ineligible.

[Graeme Archer]

Matthew Parris. He once sent me a handwritten note to thank me for writing to him saying how much I enjoyed his columns. You see, flattery really does get you everywhere. OK I was 18 at the time. But Matthew P has dedicated miles of always readable print in the Times to prove that Blair is fundamentally insane. This has helped me understand Blair. In the Spectator, Mr P writes gentle letters to both wings of our party, helping us understand one another; and then every so often he writes a dollop of travel/philosophy which are good for the soul.

Like Mark Steyn did: I wrote before how he combined political wit and invective with a background of cultural understanding that transforms the barren axiomatic approach to politics that I find a turnoff.

I have seen William Norton in ghastly committee meetings in London for years without ever ONCE suspecting that I was in the presence of a true comedic talent. Nothing makes me laugh out loud anymore except his Week At The Movies. Ration us William, we don't deserve it every week. Better still make us pay and use it to fund the Tower Hamlets campaigns.

[TT]

Charles Moore.

Incisive, lucid, entertaining - a perfect literary style, a dedicated Tory and an impeccable gentleman.

[James M]

William Norton wrote: "I assume "Campaigns" is meant for blogs? Especially since the obvious winner (campaign to keep members' vote for Tory leader) is apparently ruled ineligible."

I think it is also worth considering the Reinstate Roger campaign. It has been amazing how fast it has developed and it has certainly kept debates surrounding the Conservative's MEP's in discussion.

[Daniel Vince-Archer]

"Do none of you read Blogs?"

Nomination: James Hellyer

Citation: His ability to construct a forceful, intelligent, coherent, well-structured argument is second-to-none.

[Drugam]

Dan Hannan, for making Brussels see red

[Dontmakemelaugh]

The EU Referendum blog managed by Richard North and Helen Szamuely. A genuine modern Conservative site (modern in the fact that wishes Britain out of the EU) and devastating in its analysis of the paralysing effect of EU legislation on Britain and on others that wish to destroy us in one way or another.
Laban Tall who has his own blog, but also posts on biased-bbc, is another gifted perspicacious observer and the concise logic of Melanie Phillips cannot be left out. I can't seem to think of nominating anyone who writes in the Guardian or the Independent (don't know why, do you?).

[Brian Jenner]

I hope the people who award this prize give it to a writer who can articulate a brand of Conservativism which is palatable beyond the true believers and might help win an election. Roger Scruton and Peregrine Worsethorne were great cheerleaders for the Thatcher revolution.

The trouble with Hannan, Steyn, Heffer, Moore and even Boris Johnson to an extent, is that they preach a for a day that has now passed. They're whingers.

At least Quentin Letts, Danny Kruger and Matthew D'Ancona are trying to say something softer. Max Hastings remains a voice of moderate Tory wisdom in The Guardian.

[Richard]

"Roger Scruton and Peregrine Worsethorne were great cheerleaders for the Thatcher revolution."

I thought they were rather critical of aspects of it but from a right-wing rather than One Nation perspective.

[DavidB]

Nomination: Dan Hannan MEP
Citation: For principled, honest and enjoyable reporting of the EU in the Telegraph.

Nomination: Simmon Heffer
Citation: For intelligent Telegraph pieces.

Nomination: Nirj Deva MEP
Citation: For considered and intelligent ideas on power repatriation from the EU.

[Andy Stidwill]

Mark Steyn, without a doubt.

[matt wright]

Matthew Parris and Danny Kruger,

Matt

[free democrat]

I nominate Matthew D'Ancona.

Why? Consistently well informed, insightful and often witty writing.

[Rick]

The trouble with Hannan, Steyn, Heffer, Moore and even Boris Johnson to an extent, is that they preach a for a day that has now passed.

I think Mark Steyn is more concerned with what lies ahead..................he probably read Orwell who warned that "He who controls the present, controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future."

[roger helmer]

I'd like to second Dan Hannan, although Ruth Lea, Roger Scruton & Mark Steyn come close!

[Derek]

Leo McKinstry deserves a mention in this category.

I would also like to give a boost to Dan Hannan who gets his articles very widely publicised. His use of vocabulary often prompts me to get out the dictionary, educational as well as informative.

[paul]

Peter Hitchens is still the most courageous and thought-provoking writer out there.
He is not afraid to be branded a radical, for adopting stances that are outside the mainstream media consensus and he refuses to conform to twisted liberal terminology such as the constant refrains of "modern", "progressive" and "centre-ground" all words that in fact disguise decidedly left-wing positions.
Peter Hitchens is a masterful writer and his exposure of the true agenda of the New labour Project and the reasons Cameronism can never, and should never, suceed are invaluable.
His writing is powerful and illuminating,and most importantly of all, its daring.
.

[Julia]

Nomination:Fraser Nelson
Citation: Excellent and interesting writer both in NOW and Spectator

[Evan]

Nomination: Roger Scruton

Citation: By far the best writer of all those cited. His articles are invariably well written, articulate, and brilliantly argued. A truly great conservative.

Also outstanding were Theodore Dalrymple and Douglas Murray.