Dame Jackie Baillie MSP is Scottish Politician of the Year

Dame Jackie Baillie, deputy leader of Scottish Labour, was given the honour at a ceremony at Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh.

It is the second year in a row the prestigious award has gone to Labour, with the party’s Scottish leader Anas Sarwar winning it in 2022.

The ceremony had to be cut short after a medical emergency involving a guest at the event.

Ms Baillie, who has represented Helensburgh and Lomond - and the wider Dumbarton constituency - since the Scottish Parliament was established in 1999 - was nominated alongside Mr Sarwar and First Minister Humza Yousaf.

She was given the honour for her role in helping revive her party’s fortunes north of the border.

It also comes after she played a key part in Labour’s successful campaign in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election, which the party won with a massive swing of just over 20% from the SNP.

The event, staged annually by our sister title The Herald to recognise the achievement of Scotland’s politicians, also saw a former MP for the Helensburgh area given a Lifetime Achievement award.

 “This is a completely unexpected honour," Ms Baillie said.

"Politics is a team game so thank you to my constituents, my staff and my family for their support.

"None of this would be possible without my Scottish Labour colleagues and Anas Sarwar. This award is also for them.

“This has been a year unlike any other with a new First Minister, countless political scandals and a by-election that caused a political earthquake.

“The victory in the Rutherglen & Hamilton West by-election for Labour is backed up by encouraging polls but we are not complacent and will work hard for each and every vote

“Scottish Labour is back in business and I will continue to do all I can to stand up for the people of my constituency and deliver the change the country so desperately needs.

“I was delighted that Lord McFall was also recognised for his hard work winning the Lifetime Achievement Award."

READ MORE: Jackie Baillie MSP is made a Dame in King's birthday honours

John McFall - now Baron McFall of Alcluith - represented the area as part of what was then the Dumbarton constituency at Westminster for 18 years, between 1987 and 2005, before spending another five years representing West Dunbartonshire.

He gained prominence in his role as chair of the House of Commons' Treasury Select Committee as it carried out an inquiry the banking crisis that hit the UK from 2007.

After stepping down from the House of Commons in 2010, he joined the House of Lords, becoming Lord Speaker in 2021.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack was named the Best Scot at Westminster, while MSP Fergus Ewing won Community MSP of the Year and the Politics in Business award.

Kenneth Gibson, convener of Holyrood's finance committee, was named 'committee MSP of the year'.

Lord McFall (Image: Newsquest)

The Public Campaigner of the Year award was won by former patients of disgraced neurosurgeon Professor Sam Eljamel, who successfully won a public inquiry after a review found concerns about the medic were not acted on with sufficient urgency.

In a new award category, Green co-leader and Scottish Government minister Patrick Harvie was named as the Green Champion, in recognition of his efforts to decarbonise heating.

And Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Greene was named the Donald Dewar Debater of the Year, after he spoke out in favour of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill – legislation which was largely opposed by his party colleagues.

Labour’s Michael Marra was named as One to Watch after taking on the role of speaking for his party on finance in Holyrood earlier this year, while Local Politician of the Year went to Councillor Katie Hagmann, who as finance spokesperson for the local government body Cosla has been involved in challenging pay negotiations for council staff.