It is the second time Mr Sarwar has won the prize, after first taking the gong home in 2022.
It was a unanimous choice for the independent judging panel, who praised the MSP for keeping his party disciplined and focused on winning.
It is now the third year in a row Labour has won the main prize at the Scottish Politician Of The Year Awards in association with Scottish Power.
READ MORE
Mr Sarwar – who saw off competition from John Swinney and Kate Forbes – said: “It is truly an honour to have been named the Herald Scottish Politician of the Year for 2024. Whilst I may have received this award, the reality is that it is a team effort and I’m really lucky to have so many talents alongside me.
“This year has been one of seismic change in our politics with the election of a UK Labour government, with Scotland at its heart, seeing us also win the election here in Scotland and return 37 Scottish Labour MPs.
“Politics is first and foremost about service.
“As we look ahead to the election in 2026, I am committed to working tirelessly with all who recognise the need for a new direction to deliver the public services, economy and standard of living Scots deserve.”
Also short-listed were SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain.
Both were nominated for the second year in a row.
There was much debate on the judging panel over who should win Committee MSP of the Year Award. In the end, it went to Jackson Carlaw and the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee for their damning inquiry on the A9.
They saw off stiff competition from the SNP’s Kenny Gibson, convener of Holyrood’s Finance and Public Administration Committee, and his party colleague Audrey Nicoll, the chair of the Criminal Justice Committee.
Former first minister Humza Yousaf picked up the SNP’s first gong of the night, winning the Donald Dewar Debater of the Year Award supported by Aiir Networks.
Judges thought his intervention on Gaza at the end of 2023 was one of the standout speeches of the parliamentary year.
The Glasgow Pollok MSP could not make the ceremony but took to social media to thank The Herald.
Thank you @heraldscotland
Sorry I couldn’t be there in person to collect it, I have my hands full tonight…! https://t.co/jfsGKiCHIs pic.twitter.com/bIdSsrNtHn
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) November 21, 2024
Labour MP Kirsty McNeil won the One-to-Watch award in association with Scottish Power. Judges were impressed at the new Midlothian MP’s rapid ascent.
She went from making her maiden speech to speaking from the despatch box for the first time as a Scotland Office minister within a matter of hours.
There was little disagreement in the judging panel over who the Community MSP of the Year should be, with the Scottish Greens’ Ross Greer winning for his work opposing the Flamingo Land development on the shores of Loch Lomond.
The Politics in Business award – supported by Big Partnership – was won by Kate Forbes.
The judges were told that she had completely reset the Scottish Government’s relationship with industry.
There was a feeling from businesses that the Deputy First Minister understood their importance in growing the economy.
The Scottish Power Green Champion Award went to former Scottish Government minister Lorna Slater, who was praised for sticking to her principles and giving her ex-colleagues in St Andrew’s House a hard time over the environment.
The Campaigner of the Year went to Linda, Stuart and Scott Allan for their work on prison reform and their campaign to get all children in Polmont Young Offenders Institute transferred to care.
It was a tough choice for the judges.
The Fornethy Survivors, a group of women who were victims of physical, mental and sexual abuse while attending Fornethy Residential School in Glasgow, were also on the shortlist.
So too were the campaigners who saw Emma Caldwell’s killer brought to justice.
Fiona Hennebry won the Local Politician Of The Year award. Judges were impressed by the Labour councillor’s charity work. She runs a community pantry and drop in cafe and group called Bags Full Of Love which provides backpacks for vulnerable young people filled with essential items.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Baroness Annabel Goldie. The former Scottish Tory leader played a central part in making Holyrood what it is, leaving in 2015 after 16 years, to dedicate herself to the House of Lords, where she has served in the government of four prime ministers.
In her speech, she joked that a lifetime achievement award was for people “on their way to the crematorium.”
Baroness Goldie told the audience: “When I entered the Scottish Parliament in 1999 I had an overwhelming sense of privilege and obligation. The public had put me there, the taxpayer was keeping me there, and the deal was that I had to serve but I think that’s something else in politics we always need to remember.
“And I have to say that we’ve seen tonight some marvellous examples of really stellar political service in many of the undoubtedly discerning winners of awards this evening.
“And I think I just want to say to to them and to the parties they represent, thank you. Thank you for being the real representation of what the public wants from its politicians.
“And a plea, that if there’s anyone in politics who’s in it for self, to promote themselves in their own advancement, and most distastefully of all to, through some grotesque sense of entitlement, seek to grab every passing trimming and frill going past, then get them out.
“Boot them out your party. They’re no use to your party. They are are no use to the public, and there’s certainly no use to the reputation of what should be an admired and respected vocation, and that is a privilege of political service. ”
Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower, said: “Congratulations to all the worthy winners. Every one of them – and their fellow nominees – has shown their commitment to Scotland and its people through their amazing work.
“It’s been an honour to be part of this event again and I look forward to seeing and hearing more from them as we work together to deliver Scotland’s green energy transition.”
Hamish Fraser, Director, said: “Congratulations to The Herald and the events team for delivering yet another exceptional Scottish Politician of the Year Awards — truly one of the highlights of the Scottish political calendar.
“I’d like to extend my warmest congratulations to the winner of the Donald Dewar Debater of the Year category, to the Politician of the Year, and to all the remarkable winners who were recognised last night. Their dedication and contributions to shaping Scotland’s future are truly inspiring.”
