Blog selects heroes and villains

Slugger O'Toole features Northern Ireland political comment and analysis

Political blog Slugger O'Toole has held its first ever awards ceremony.

Among the winners were the Alliance's Naomi Long, named MLA of the Year, and DUP leader Peter Robinson, who was 'best representative external to NI'.

Danny Kennedy of the UUP was best Stormont committee chair while Sinn Féin's Daithí McKay was picked as a promising newcomer.

Slugger O'Toole founder Mick Fealty said the awards were a chance to consider what makes a good politician.

"At a time when many members of the public are questioning the value of the devolved institutions in Stormont, we asked our readers to identify those people within Northern Ireland's political game that have truly impressed in the way they have conducted themselves in their roles as MLAs, MPs, local councillors, peers and MEPs," he said.

Comedian Tim McGarry hosted the awards ceremony at the W5 in Belfast's Odyssey Arena on Tuesday.

The winners were:

• Representatives external to Northern Ireland: Peter Robinson, leader of DUP group, House of Commons
• Journalism: David Gordon, Belfast Telegraph
• Local council: Belfast City Council
• Local newspaper: Impartial Reporter
• MLA: Naomi Long, Alliance Party
• Committee chair: Danny Kennedy, Ulster Unionist Party
• Up and coming: Daithí McKay, Sinn Féin
• Political blogger: NALIL
• Councillor: Deirdre Nelson, DUP
• Jobsworth award: Assembly Commission