Wilberforce bids to become Westminster's top dog

Neil Parish, Conservative MP for Tiverton and Honiton and his seven year old Labrador, Wilberforce, will compete with other politicians and their pooches to win the coveted title of ‘Westminster Dog of the Year 2014’.

Dogs of all shapes and sizes will be whipping their MP and Peer owners into shape as they head to Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster, London to see who will be crowned top ‘pawlitical’ dog for 2014.

Organised jointly by Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club, the competition offers the unique chance for Neil Parish MP, who is also Chairman of the Associate Parliamentary Group on Animal Welfare, to show off his loyal four-legged friend, Wilberforce who has supported him on the political trail. As well as this, the competition encourages an open dialogue on important dog welfare issues ahead of next year’s General Election.

The theme of this year’s event focuses on positive training and education, demonstrating how this helps to strengthen the bond between dog and owner.

Proud owner Neil Parish MP explains: “Wilberforce is a wonderful companion and my biggest supporter. Often found charming local constituents in Tiverton and Honiton and supporting door-to-door canvassing efforts, Wilberforce will now take centre stage to compete at this Westminster Dog of the Year. With dogged determination, I have no doubt that he will win over the hearts of the voters and achieve a landslide victory.”

MPs will be calling for their supporters to vote for them, in a bid to win the public vote, with additional judging on the day which will review the contestants on their heroic doggy deeds and winning personalities. This will then determine which political pooch will take home the ultimate parliamentary privilege of the ‘Westminster Dog of the Year 2014’ title.

The Westminster Dog of the Year 2014 competition starts at 10.00am on Thursday 23rd October at Victoria Tower Gardens. The judging panel that will determine which pooch wins the highly desired crown includes Clarissa Baldwin OBE, CEO of Dogs Trust, Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary and last year’s winner, Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan MP. Confirmed guest speakers include Angela Smith MP, Shadow Minister for Animal Welfare.

Details of MPs and dog entered for this year’s Westminster Dog of the Year can be found at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/westminsterdogoftheyear