Brake announces ‘Parliamentarians of the Year’

David Stewart MSP and Steve McCable MP have been named ‘Parliamentarians of the Year’ by Brake, the road safety charity.

The awards, which recognise the contributions of parliamentarians to tackle road casualties, were presented by Brake at its annual reception at the Houses of Parliament.

David Stewart, MSP for the Highlands and Islands, received the ‘National Campaigner’ award for his efforts to introduce Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL). In December he began a petition, receiving widespread public support, calling on the government to listen to the evidence and introduce GDL.

Mr Stewart said: "I am delighted to receive such a prestigious national award but it is not only for me but for my campaign team. Making our roads safer for drivers of all ages and pedestrians is a cause I am proud to follow and I will continue to try to do this."

Steve McCabe, MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, received the ‘Community Campaigner’ award for his determination that all schools in his constituency should be safe for children to get to.

After his plea to introduce a crossing outside Bells Farm Primary School was rejected by the council, he raised awareness to the dangers at the site by dressing as a School Crossing Patrol (SCP) and inviting the media along. Soon after, the council agreed to install the crossing that residents had been demanding for 10 years.

He said: “I am delighted to receive this award. Protecting children on our roads is vitally important and worth fighting for, which I will continue to do.”

Click here to read more about the Parliamentarians of the Year awards.