GLOWING: MP Dawn Butler
SHADOW MINISTER for Women and Equalities Dawn Butler MP has been announced as a candidate for the Patchwork Foundation’s MP of the Year Award for the second year in a row, after winning the People’s Choice Labour MP of the Year award in 2016.
The award celebrates the work done by Members of Parliament from all parties and particularly focuses on diversity and inclusion to reward those who encourage participation from underrepresented groups in society, and recognises those whose work has had a positive impact on diverse communities across the UK.
The Brent MP commented on her nomination:
“I am truly humbled to be nominated for this award for a second time and I look forward to attending the awards ceremony with other nominees and guests.
"I have always said that our Parliament should be reflective of the people it seeks to represent and I will continue to work towards this important aim to increase participation from all our communities."
The foundation has recognised Butler after her gains in three main areas of work - giving the deaf community a voice in Parliament by becoming the first-ever MP to ask a question in British Sign Language (BSL) on March 16, during Sign Language Week 2017; campaigning against Employment Tribunal Fees and raising awareness in Parliament of racism and discrimination.
The winner of the MP of the Year award will be selected by the foundation’s independent judges. The winner will be announced by John Bercow MP, Speaker of the Commons and patron the Patchwork Foundation, at a special ceremony in Parliament on Wednesday November 15, 2017.
The Voice is celebrating its 35th birthday this year. Share your Voice memories, comments and birthday wishes on social media, using the following hash tag: #Voice35Years
Read every story in our hardcopy newspaper for free by downloading the app.