Party Awards Spring 2026
The winners.
Our Party President, Josh Babarinde MP, presented awards to some outstanding Liberal Democrat members.
Congratulations to all our winners, and thank you for all that you have done to deserve them.
Bertha Bowness Fischer Award
This award recognises the contributions of a newer member - with this year's winner, Nailah Sharif, having been a Liberal Democrat for just over a year. In that time Nailah has organised events to engage diverse communities, raised thousands of pounds through fundraisers, brought new people into the Liberal Democrats, played a key role in making action days a success and much more.
Albert Ingham Award
This award goes to an election agent or campaign manager in recognition of an outstanding campaign - and this year goes to Bob Vance - someone who has spent years doing the patient, unglamorous, essential work of organising a campaign and community to deliver the first Liberal Democrat MP in Dorking and Horley for 108 years. And he isn't stopping - he's fired up for the Surrey unitary elections in May!
Laura Grimond Award
Dedicated to those who do unsung work behind the scenes, this year's award went to Julie Bushell. Julie started the Clerical Club in North Shropshire, a group that met every single week to stuff envelopes, address them and bundle leaflets to help get our message out there. You've only got to look at the Shropshire Council election results from last year and Helen Morgan’s stonking majority to see just how pivotal her efforts have been.
Leader’s Award
Leader’s Award
Awarded to someone who has shown exemplary leadership skills - this year, for the first time, we have two winners - The first winner is Roderick Lynch.
Roderick has spent years working to make this party more diverse, representative, and reflective of the country we serve. As founder and Chair of the Liberal Democrat Campaign for Race Equality, he has led Super Action Days for ethnic minority candidates across the country, mentored members, and brought his lived experience to shape party policy. He pours his all into this mission and has refused to let his own health challenges stop him from showing up for others.
Leader’s Award
The second winner of the Leader's Award is Jerry Roodhouse.
Jerry has given this party decades of consistent, dedicated service. He was first elected to Rugby Borough Council in 1990, then Warwickshire County Council in 1993. He has stood for Parliament four times and has led the Lib Dem Group at Warwickshire County Council for over twenty years. Throughout every single one of them he has given everything to this party and the communities he serves.
Jerry was unable to attend Conference as he was canvassing for the Local Elections all weekend. His friend and colleague, Sarah Boad collected the award on his behalf and presented it to him at home.
Finally, Josh presented a very special recognition award in order to recognise the incredible contributions of a veteran Liberal Democrat, Elizabeth Shields.
Elizabeth, having just turned 98, is the most life-experienced living former MP in the country, and is still a serving parish councillor! When she was elected to Parliament, Elizabeth became the first Liberal woman to enter the House of Commons since Megan Lloyd-George, who had entered the Commons 57 years prior. She has spent her life fighting for women's rights and equality, and has never stopped. Thank you, Elizabeth, for everything you have done for our party.