Sir David Amess’s French Bulldog, 3-year-old Vivienne, has been crowned the winner in this year’s Westminster Dog of the Year competition. Escorted by MPs Andrew Rosindell and Mark Francois, Vivienne defeated 22 other pups to claim Parliament’s most coveted prize, winning both the judges’ vote and the public’s online votes by “tens of thousands“. Speaking this morning, Rosindell said:
“No one loved animals like David, and no one loved their dog like David. I could not feel more sadness at the fact that it will be me chaperoning Vivienne, his dog, at the Dog of the Year, instead of him, but I also could not feel more pride to be able to pay tribute to him in this small way.”
The pawfect tribute.
Politicos will be delighted to learn the much-loved Westminster Dog of the Year competition is finally returning after a two-year hiatus. 2019’s was canceled due to security concerns given the constant presence of Brexit protests, and 2020’s because of Covid. At long last, however, MPs will finally be able to get their puppies out for the press…
The Kennel Club has proudly announced the competition will take place on Thursday 28th October in the usual Victoria Tower Gardens. Guido wonders whether the expected Holocaust memorial in said gardens will force them to find a new venue in future…
Co-conspirator favourite Lee Anderson has made no bones about his intentions to enter, entering 13-year-old Alfie whom he adopted two years ago for the prestigious award.
Owen Sharp, chief executive of Dogs Trust promises the pageant will be “strictly apolitical; judges will be looking for the dogs’ good deeds and devotion to their owner rather than policies or opinions”. It looks like Alex Norris’ two-year reign – alongside his unfortunately named winning pup Corona – will be shortly coming to an end…
Whilst last year’s Westminster Dog Of The Year contest was cancelled due to Brexit-blocking chaos, the contest did go ahead in Victoria Tower Gardens in September 2018, being jointly won by two dogs belonging to Labour MP Alex Norris:
“two dogs Boomer and Corona have been announced as co-winners of the Westminster Dog of the Year competition.”
Paul the Octopus has competition. Now Corona and Boomers are just about the only thing everyone is talking about…
Alex Norris MP’s two dogs Boomer and Corona have been announced as co-winners of the Westminster Dog of the Year competition. The Labour MP for Nottingham North, although a newcomer to the Commons, is a veteran of the competition, having won the the paw-blic vote last year.
Andrew Mitchell came second with Scarlett, and Cheryl Gillan came third with Gooseberry, a rescue dog from Hungary.
Also in the running was newcomer Mike Amesbury’s uniquely named dog Corbyn.
It’s the pawlitical event of the year: the Westminster dog show! Meet Maria Miller’s adorable cockapoo Ted:
Basingstoke MP Maria Miller and cockapoo Ted pic.twitter.com/fQwUH9pKNk
— Ross Kempsell (@rosskempsell) October 26, 2017
Nottingham North MP Alex Norris introduced Guido to Boomer and Corona:
Nottingham North MP Alex Norris introduces me to Boomer and Corona pic.twitter.com/RqLdzeI4GQ
— Ross Kempsell (@rosskempsell) October 26, 2017
We also met Redditch MP Rachel Mclean and Jack Russell/Staffy cross Phoebe (who doesn’t talk about politics):
Redditch MP Rachel Mclean and Jack Russell/Staffy cross Phoebe (who doesn’t talk about politics) pic.twitter.com/gVmmrMvSyU
— Ross Kempsell (@rosskempsell) October 26, 2017
Drama as Hull North MP Diana Johnson’s lurcher Lollie refuses a hurdle:
Hull North MP Diana Johnson’s lurcher Lollie refuses a hurdle. Getting tense down here. pic.twitter.com/66AOsu2SdO
— Ross Kempsell (@rosskempsell) October 26, 2017
Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin told Guido Rocky is a “Jeremy Corbyn fanatic”:
Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin tells me Rocky is a “Jeremy Corbyn fanatic”, but Rocky himself made no comment… pic.twitter.com/xQKZ5kGe7g
— Ross Kempsell (@rosskempsell) October 26, 2017
Here he is tackling the jumps:
Tracy Brabin’s Pawbynista Rocky tackles the jumps pic.twitter.com/cegy1NqNbJ
— Ross Kempsell (@rosskempsell) October 26, 2017
Labour infighting latest: face off between Tracy Brabin and Stephen Morgan’s pooches:
Labour infighting latest: face off between Tracy Brabin and Stephen Morgan’s dogs pic.twitter.com/K1KP6BeWw6
— Ross Kempsell (@rosskempsell) October 26, 2017
And the winner is… Tracy Brabin’s Rocky. But he won’t stay on the podium!
Rocky won’t stay on the podium pic.twitter.com/Wwbad92TCA
— Ross Kempsell (@rosskempsell) October 26, 2017
Tracy says she is “delirious with joy”:
Tracy Brabin: Rocky is the “glue” that holds her family together pic.twitter.com/KceldTfhiT
— Ross Kempsell (@rosskempsell) October 26, 2017
The top dogs:
Good boys.