Steve Baker MP @SteveBakerHW has been made joint politician of the year alongside Ken Clarke CH QC. in the Civility in Politics Awards (CIPA)
Launched by campaigners earlier in the year, the scheme rewards and encourages thoughtful, reflective and co-operative public debate.
120 nominations were received this year and the nomination window for the 2020/21 Awards will open in November.
Speaking on behalf of the judges, Lord Stewart Wood said:
“Bitterness around Brexit shows no signs of abating, and attitudes to lockdown have exacerbated the divisions and febrile atmosphere we’ve come to view as the norm.
“The Awards recognise and celebrate decent behaviour, kindness and willingness to get along. We hope they’ll encourage more thoughtful and civil public debate.
“Right now, restoring public trust in politics and politicians should be a priority for everyone in Parliament.”
The CIPA judges said:
“The MP for Wycombe (Steve Baker) has shown a willingness to take risks in pursuit of civility in his political life. Nominators and judges commented on his speech to the House on the day the UK left the European Union – when he said, ‘I will celebrate. I will allow myself a smile, I’ll allow myself that glass of champagne, I will enjoy myself. But I’ll celebrate discreetly, and I will celebrate in a way which is respectful of the genuine sorrow that others are feeling at the same time.’”
Steve Baker MP said:
“I am absolutely delighted and honoured to share this award with Ken Clarke.
No two Conservative MPs could have disagreed more about Brexit but if we each played our part in keeping the country more united than it would have otherwise been, that’s something we can both be proud of.
This award is a fantastic incentive to keep trying to be civil to my opponents.”
To recognise their awards Ken and Steve were given £1,500 each to donate to a local charity. They chose Maggie’s Cancer Centre in Nottingham and Wycombe Women’s Aid respectively.
