Public debate in the UK has never stood still. Parliament and traditional media remain central to how ideas are tested, scrutinised and understood, but influence now sits across a far wider landscape – from digital platforms and social media newsrooms to campaigning organisations and new voices shaping the conversation in real time.
That is why the Pagefield Awards continue to evolve.
Last year, we brought together the Pagefield Parliamentarian Awards and the Pagefield Press Awards into a single flagship event, celebrating the individuals and organisations shaping politics, media and digital campaigning. This year, we are building on that foundation again, with a refreshed set of categories that deeply reflect how influence now works across public life.
The Pagefield Awards 2026 will recognise those shaping political discourse, influencing public understanding and driving meaningful change across three broad areas: politics, media and social media content.
From parliamentary leadership and agenda-setting journalism to digital campaigning and online storytelling, the Awards are designed to celebrate the people and teams making a genuine contribution to UK debate.
Our judging panel
As ever, the credibility of the Pagefield Awards rests on the strength, experience and independence of our judging panel. I am very grateful to this year’s judges for giving their time and expertise:
- Mhari Aurora, Political Correspondent, Sky News
- Caroline Wheeler, Political Editor, The i Paper
- Venetia Menzies, Investigations Correspondent, Sunday Times
- Noa Hoffman, Political Correspondent, The Spectator
- Jess Elgot, Deputy Political Editor, The Guardian
- Gary Jones, Pagefield Senior Advisor and former Editor-in-Chief of the Daily and Sunday Express
- Lizzy Buchan, Political Editor, The Mirror and Chair of the Westminster Lobby
- Henry Zeffman, Chief Political Correspondent, BBC News
- Christian May, Editor, City AM
- Calum Muirhead, Executive Editor, Financial Mail on Sunday
- Chris Giles, Economics Commentator, Financial Times
My thanks also go to Pete Clifton, former Editor-in-Chief of PA Media and Pagefield Senior Advisor, who is supporting the process by reviewing the shortlist ahead of judging.
Award categories for 2026
This year’s awards will recognise achievement across nine categories:
- Frontbench MP or Peer of the Year
- Rising Star of the Year
- Political Speech of the Year
- Most Influential Business or Economic Journalist of the Year
- Journalist Whose Influence Grew and Grew this Year
- Political Journalist of the Year
- Digital Campaign of the Year
- Social Media News Team of the Year
- Digital Voice of the Year
Finalists will be announced in the coming weeks, with winners revealed online in the lead-up to our summer reception on 17th June, where we will bring winners together to celebrate with our clients, team, politicians, journalists and other influencers.
We look forward to recognising the individuals, organisations and teams who have shaped debate, held power to account, changed public understanding and made a meaningful impact over the past year.
