Time for the BOTY Nominations

Last years little shindig in Old Harry's Bar, Marriott, Eastbourne was so jam packed that I was fortunate to turn up early with Lionel to claim a good spot near all the action. Sadly Mike Fealty the big man behind Slugger O'Toole was mistakenly told that the upstairs bar was Old Harry's so I had to step up to claim the BOTY for best non-Lib Dem Blog as a contributor. Titter ye not, tis true.

Yes there may be just under a week left to vote for the Total Politics Blog of the Year but the main event of the summer has just been announced. Yes that is right the Lib Dem Voice BOTYs are entering their fifth year. Men, women and elephants of the Lib Dem blogosphere will be getting sweaty palms, or around the collar or itchy trunks. But don't also forget there is more than just the best blog that gets awarded in the veritable smorgasbord of awards.

This year’s awards are as follows:

Best new Liberal Democrat blog (started since 1st September 2009)

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

Best use of blogging / social networking / e-campaigning by a Liberal Democrat

Best posting on a Liberal Democrat blog (since 1st September 2009)

Best non-Liberal Democrat politics blog

Liberal Democrat Blog of the Year

Full details of the classifications can be found on Lib Dem Voice. As are details of the esteemed judging panel. It would appear that Costigan Quist has done a Reggie Perin the the pile of clothes and shoes seen beside Eastbourne pier at the end of conference last September were merely a decoy, as the esteemed mystery man or woman or cuddly toy whose Himmelgarten Cafe was winner in 2009 maintains the tradition of last years BOTY winner sitting on the panel.

He will be joined by:

Prateek Buch, who blogs at consider, evaluate, act

Jonathan Calder, who blogs at Liberal England

Lee Chalmers, co-founder of the Downing Street Project, leadership consultant and blogger at Lee’s random blog: Leadership, politics and women’s stuff

Ryan Cullen from Lib Dem Voice, who also runs Lib Dem Blogs and his own blog at The Artesea

Helen Duffett (that’s me) from Lib Dem Voice and also my own blog

Mary Reid, former Kingston Upon Thames councillor, who continues to blog at Mary Reid

Jo Swinson, Liberal Democrat MP for East Dunbartonshire

Ros Taylor, Deputy Editor of the Guardian’s Comment is Free

Andy Williamson, Director of Digital Democracy at the Hansard Society

Please feel free to nominate this blog indeed as Iain Roberts said on Liberal Democrat Voice early in the period for consideration.

"Stephen Glenn celebrates his well-deserved success. Recognise his genius, damn you!"

And who are we to argue?

Indeed the Hon. Lady Mark kindly when posting my Slugger acceptance speech said 'At some point, it would be nice if Stephen won an award himself.'

So make it happen. All recognition of my genius will be happily accepted by emailing Helen Duffet at helen@libdemvoice.org