The Slugger Awards

It’s our view that the real nexus of political debate is moving inexorably online. In the US and the UK, the line between what’s become known as the commentariat and the bloggertariat is rapidly blurring. We hope our blogger of the year Award will play a role in identifying the next generation of big political commentators.

Anyone who blogs consistently on Northern Irish politics is eligiable: ie they do not have to be based in or be writing exclusively about Northern Ireland. But we are looking for seriousness and purpose. And for blogs that bring consistent quality and impact on the public debate.

In making your nominations, please try to include:

1. The name and the url of the blog.
2. A link to a sample post along with a short extract demonstrating its best qualities.
3. A short pitch on why you believe it is the best political blog of the year.

You can make your nominations on the main Slugger site. Be as expansive as you wish, so we can make the best pitch possible to both the reader and judges panels who may not be as familiar as you with your favoured site.

Please note, Slugger is excluded from this category.

With the Assembly moving into its third year of operation, perhaps now is a strange point to ask for nominations for the most up and coming politician. But as all politicians know the future health of any political party depends on their ability to connect with a new generation who have new sets of needs and preoccupations. That means bringing on new voices and or older voices finding new ways to connect.

So who were the fresh voices of the last year? Who will be shaping the future of politics in Northern Ireland? And let’s not restrict it to local government either. Are there wanabee MLAs who have created an impression? New MLAs who are still making a splash?

With your nominations, please try to include:

1. A brief account of the qualities your candidate has brought to the job.
2. The reasons s/he and their committee have achieved in the last 12 months.
3. What you believe are the critical qualities required by a committee chair.

You can make your nominations on the main Slugger site. Be as expansive as you wish, so we can make the best pitch possible to both the reader and judges panels who may not be as familiar as you with your favoured candidate.