The Contrarian Prize is a prize which has been awarded either annually or biennially since its establishment in 2013. The prize promotes the contribution of non-conformist thinking to the British public debate by recognising individuals who have demonstrated independence, courage, and sacrifice through the ideas they have introduced, or stands they have taken.
Nominations for the prize are submitted through an online form by the public each year, with the shortlist and winner selected by a panel of judges. The judging panel is chaired by Ali Miraj, who founded the prize, with other judges including economist Vicky Pryce, businessman and winner of the inaugural prize Michael Woodford, journalist Izabella Kaminska, and politician Gawain Towler.
The prize: "The Three Politicians" "The Three Politicians" was originally created in 2007 by Italian pop art sculptor, Maruro Perucchetti, and donated by him in recognition of the inaugural prize awarded in March 2013.
The pigmented urethane resin sculpture illustrates the "three politicians" in the form of the three wise monkeys – one who does not see, one who does not speak, and one who does not hear.
List of shortlisted candidates and prize winners
2013 Contrarian Prize The shortlist for the inaugural prize was announced in February 2013, and the prize was presented by Isabel Oakeshott on 18 March 2013. Michael Woodford – winner Giles Fraser Nigel Farage Heather Brooke Peter Tatchell
2014 Contrarian Prize The 2014 prize was awarded on 2 April 2014. Clive Stafford Smith – winner Benjamin Zephaniah Brian Cathcart Douglas Carswell Kay Sheldon Peter Oborne
Presented by: Will Hutton
2015 Contrarian Prize The shortlist for the 2015 prize was announced in June 2015, and the prize was presented by Jonathan Dimbleby on 18 June 2015. Simon Danczuk – winner Craig Murray Ed Husain George Galloway Nevres Kemal
2017 Contrarian Prize The 2017 prize was presented by Sir Simon Jenkins on 16 May 2017. Patrick Minford – winner Gisela Stuart Narindar Saroop Faith Spear Nigel Farage
2019 Contrarian Prize The shortlist for the 2019 prize was announced in June 2019, and the prize was presented by Jeremy Paxman on 25 June 2019. Katharine Birbalsingh – winner Theresa May Douglas Murray David Goodhart Helen Pluckrose
2021 Contrarian Prize The shortlist for the 2021 prize was announced in October 2021, and the prize was presented by Michael Crick on 11 November 2021.
Toby Young – winner Suzanne Moore Will Knowland Sunetra Gupta
2024 Contrarian Prize The shortlist for the 2024 prize was announced on 7 October 2024 recognising five whistleblowers. The prize was presented by Adam Boulton on 23 October 2024.
Maggie Oliver – winner Elizabeth Nicholl David Neal Stephen Cresswell David Bell
Lectures Following the prize-giving ceremony, an event is held in conjunction with Cass Business School typically in the form of a lecture or discussion featuring the winner of that year's prize. +DateSpeaker(s)Title20 November 2013Michael WoodfordHow do we achieve a more moral capitalism?19 November 2014Clive Stafford SmithThe long path to injustice2 December 2015Simon Danczuk MPHiding in plain sight: how child sexual abusers get away with it30 November 2016Panel debate: Claire Fox (chair), Ed Husain, Izabella Kaminska, Giesla Stuart, Peter Tatchell, Simon WesselyContrarianism in an age of conformity5 December 2018Professor Patrick MinfordBrexit and beyond25 November 2020Katharine Birbalsingh CBEAgainst the grain: how a brave headteacher spearheaded an educational revolution19 October 2022Panel debate: Claire Fox (chair), Michael Crick, Sunetra Gupta, André Spicer, Peter TatchellIs it becoming impossible to be a contrarian?1 November 2023Toby YoungFreedom of Speech and Censorship: Examining the Tensions Between Open Discourse and Harmful Content
See also Mais Lecture The Business School (formerly Cass)
External links The Contrarian Prize - official website References