Award nomination for MP Alistair Burt

The Conservative politician, who is minister for North Africa and the Middle East in the Foreign Office, has been shortlisted for the award in House Magazine.

His fellow nominees are former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, treasury minister Justine Greening, and the Lib Dems’ Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander.

Mr Burt, who has represented North East Beds since 2001, said: “‘I’m very tickled by this. Its rather nice to be nominated by colleagues, and says a lot for the work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office who have worked so hard to help me keep MPs and the public briefed on the remarkable events of this year.

“I am in exalted company of excellent colleagues, and while, being honest, it would be nice to win, being nominated is fun in itself.”

He was formerly a minister of state in the Department of Social Security.

House Magazine’s awards cover several categories, including Backbencher Of The Year, Peer Of The Year and Speech Of The Year.

Mr Burt also made reference to a recent website www.sexymp.co.uk which asks people to rate national politicians on their sexual attractiveness.

Out of 648 MPs, Mr Burt is currently rated number 599.

He said: “It must be my week for nominations. Being one of the four top ministers is a bit better than being 600th in a beauty competition, or whatever.”