And the winners were...

ConservativeHome held its first movement awards last night and a full list of winners are pasted at the bottom of this post.  Pictured is George Osborne MP receiving the award for 'Best Campaign' from Stephan Shakespeare of YouGov and yesterday's 'master of ceremonies'.  If you weren't there last night you can watch the whole awards ceremony at 7pm tonight on 18 Doughty Street Talk TV.

More than 2,000 members of the ConservativeHome Members' Panel voted for last night's award winners.  The fact that David Cameron won the Environmental Champion Award - rather than climate change sceptics Ruth Lea and Bjorn Lomborg - only goes to prove that I didn't manipulate the voting!  Even I have to admit, however, that David Cameron's success at putting green causes at the top of the national agenda is an enormous tribute to the Tory leader's political skills.  David Cameron's video message to last night's event will be posted here later today and you can hear him describe ConservativeHome as "infuriating" but "good value"!

Shadow Chancellor George Osborne gave the main speech of the evening after collecting the 'Best Campaign' award for his chairmanship of the Cameron leadership bid.  George used his remarks to announce that the Conservative Party is launching a major initiative to increase transparency of government spending.  See the Follow Your Money website here and, later today, there'll be more about this initiative on ToryDiary.  George paid tribute to ConservativeHome as a powerful voice in the Conservative Party and a sign of healthy internal democracy.

George faced calls for lower taxes from a number of presenters and award winners.  Fraser Nelson of The Spectator (who presented The Taxpayers' Alliance with its highly deserved 'One To Watch' award) and Jonathan Isaby (who presented Wandsworth's Russell King with the 'TaxCutter' award - read his acceptance speech here) both looked pointedly at the Shadow Chancellor when they spoke about the importance of lower taxation for economic prosperity.  The Shadow Chancellor faced a different kind of pressure at the end of the evening when Iain Duncan Smith called for the Tories to put Britain's overstretched military at the front of the spending queue.

After last night's success the aim is to make the ConservativeHome Awards an annual affair and make next year's event a much bigger deal.  That will mean more notice than three weeks (!), proper sponsorship and an attendance of hundreds.  The aim is to make it an annual showcase for the best thinking and activity within the broad conservative family.  Next year we'll probably aim to see a few more grassroots Tories and organisations win some deserved recognition.

FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS

NEW TECHNOLOGY: GRANT SHAPPS MP
"For innovative use of email and internet campaigning to build broad and deep links with constituents."

ONE TO WATCH: THE TAXPAYERS' ALLIANCE
"For championing the beleagured taxpayer at a time when all mainstream political parties are failing to offer significant relief from Britain's record tax burden."

OUTSTANDING PARLIAMENTARIAN: RICHARD BACON MP
"For leading the exposure of Charles Clarke's prisoner release scandal and fashioning the news event that has come to define Labour incompetence."

BEST CAMPAIGN: GEORGE OSBORNE MP
"The victorious campaign to elect David Cameron as Tory leader, chaired by George Osborne, succeeded because of its contagious optimism, its clarity and consistency of message, and its dramatic employment of broadcast and new media."

ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION: RT HON DAVID CAMERON MP
"For using his leadership of the Conservative Party to put the health of the natural environment at the top of Britain's political agenda."

BEST WRITING: MATTHEW PARRIS
"For consistently using his must-read Times column to produce the most insightful writing within British journalism."

Matthew receives his award (right) from Karen Bradley, PPC for Staffordshire Moorlands.  The Times' columnist took off his jacket and showed a shirt with holes in it.  He reported that it was an old shirt of Alan Duncan's that some rats had nibbled!  He went on to compare ConservativeHome to a wasp but said: "At least it's our wasp".

TAXCUTTER: WANDSWORTH'S CONSERVATIVES
"For delivering a consistently low tax burden at the same time as innovative and high quality local services."

SOCIAL JUSTICE: RT HON IAIN DUNCAN SMITH MP
"For using his leadership of the Conservative Party to champion Britain's hardest-pressed communities and to have become the thought leader of Britain's compassionate conservatives."

Awards were also given to Frank Field MP for 'Independent Spirit' and the 'Patriot' Award was given to British troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Comments

[Daniel Chule]

I just wanted to say congratulations for an excellent event; and an impressive turn out of award winners.

[Daniel Chule]

Also... I would also recommend that people watch Donal's speech on what we can learn from the United States - a very succinct talk with a lot of lessons for all. We had a great night!

[Editor]

Thanks Daniel - I'll try and post Donal's talk in the next day or two.

[Chris Harrisonn]

I hear rumour that the event was inflitrated by young Liberal Democrats!

[Editor]

One young LibDem, yes!

[Paul Kennedy]

Sounded like an excellent event, with all of the awards well deserved.

[Deputy Editor]

Thanks for coming all, it was a fun evening!

[malcolm]

A most enjoyable evening. I was particularly struck by how happy IDS looked and commend his remarks to George Osborne when accepting the award on behalf of our troops.
Apologies for my tired and dishevelled appearance!

[Mark Fulford]

Tired and dishevelled or tired and emotional ;-)

I was gutted not to be able to attend.

[Sally Roberts]

Agree with you Malcolm! I thought IDS's speech on behalf of the troops was very moving and very much from the heart. By the way, you did not look in the least tired and dishevelled and I was very pleased to meet you.

[Editor]

There will be an investigation into why Sam received a louder round of applause than I did during Stephan's introductory remarks! :-)

[Sally Roberts]

Don't be too hard on him Tim! :-)

[Richard Weatherill]

I'm not in the least surprised by your description of IDS's speech, Sally. He was guest speaker at our local Association's Annual Dinner some years ago, when he was Shadow Defence Secretary, and made the most passionate advocacy of conservatism that I've ever heard. It's just a shame that he doesn't possess the media skills which are so essential in today's political world.

[RobD]

It was an excellent evening, it was good to see George there representing the leadership and taking the inevitable barbed comments in good humour. Well done to Tim and Sam for putting together a great event.

[Praguetory]

Sounds like a resounding success. Well done, all.

[Sam Burke]

Thanks for an excellent evening. It was an encouraging celebration of achievement and points to a promising election ahead. Thanks to CH for their continuing work.

[Jonathan Sheppard]

An excellent night - some great winners, and I am sure this will become the MUST attend event next year!! Hats off to Tim and Sam.

[sjm]

Really glad Richard Bacon's work has been recognised - every time something really juicy about this dreadful Govt is revealed, it seems Richard has had a hand in uncovering it. More strength to his elbow!

[Ellee]

I'm particularly pleased for Grant Shapps. I have been praising his forum on my blog ever since it was launched, I also nominated it for the New Statesman social media awards - but unfortuantely he didn't get shortlisted, unlike David Miliband. So well done Grant, I know you will keep up the good work.

[dawnparry]

A very successful and enjoyable evening! Well done, CH! Stephan Shakespeare gave an engaging introduction on the wonders of the world wide web community's power, potential and success. Richard Bacon was (much later) interviewed on Radio 4 last night about his brilliant investigative skills. Keep up the good work Richard...you could single-handedly get "New" Labour out at this rate!! Matthew Paris was so entertaining with his rat-eaten shirts story! Donal Blaney gave inspirational insite with his enlightening speech on US Conservatives and their electoral success (no, not a love-in with Bush, just secrets of success for us to learn from).
We all fell about with laughter when the brilliantly entertaining Jonathan Isaby of Spy, Telegraph took the stage and pleasured us with his spot-on impersonation of William Hague. IDS was so compassionate. It is so good to see a high-profile politician so obviosly meaning and feeling what he says. I noticed George Osbourne rolling his eyes skyward at one point....there was an overall "reduce the British taxpayers' burden" message coming from each speaker (resoundingly endorsed by the audience!). Poor George.....hopefully he'll get the message. ConservativeHome and what it's brought about is so cutting edge politically. This modern medium of political interaction has never before taken place. I truly hope we can re-engage all sectors of society who use IT at home to enjoy being more politically aware and to partake in the things that affect them. Absolutely ace! I'm glad I made the effort to come from Somerset for the evening. Can I book my seat now for next year please, Tim?

[TaxCutter]

Any pictures of crumpet a la Guido?

[Fred Baker]

I'm not in the least surprised by your description of IDS's speech, Sally. He was guest speaker at our local Association's Annual Dinner some years ago, when he was Shadow Defence Secretary, and made the most passionate advocacy of conservatism that I've ever heard. It's just a shame that he doesn't possess the media skills which are so essential in today's political world."

What are you talking about?

His media skill is 1,000 times better than either Howard or Davis. He was chucked out by blatant opportunists plus Murdoch and that idiot Portillo.

But for them we would be in power.

[Patsy Sergeant]

Yes it was a good evening, unfortunately I was out yesterday evening and by the time I got onto 18 Doughty Street after 11pm the video of Monday evening had been shown at 10pm, is there any chance of it being available again - just to look through?

[malcolm]

Try the Watch Again box Patsy.You'll be able to see it there. Btw, it was good to meet you!

[Patsy Sergeant]

Thank you Malcolm yes it was nice to meet you too, I will try 'Watch again' when they get to Tuesday evening, as they haven't go there yet.

[Catriona Mackenzie]

I would like to vote for Justin Hinchcliffe, the chairman of the Tottenham Conservatives. He works relentlessly hard and has established a strong relationship with his community. He makes a big effort to go out, into some of the really poor estates in Tottenham and does home visits. Some of the elderly ladies really appreciate his support.