The London Letter doesn't usually get into the awards business. But it has been a truly momentous year, one we'll long remember for the high drama and sheer excitement of New Labour's arrival in power, and for the unprecedented (some thought distinctly un-British) outpouring of grief which followed the death of Princess Diana.
So here goes, with our tributes to those who have shaped our lives, left lasting impressions or simply added to the gaiety of the nation.
In some categories vigorous contest leaves us no option but to share the spoils. In others the winners virtually nominate themselves.
The politician of the year simply has to be Tony Blair. And, for all that we are meant to love or loathe him, the award for top political strategist ergo belongs to the Minister without Portfolio, Peter Mandelson, for his role in the creation of New Labour.
Alas, Mr Mandelson's back room skills have not always been evident in his front line engagements. And the award for faux pas of the year also goes to him, for the absurdity of last August's battle to establish who was running the shop while Mr Blair was on holiday. The award for the most long-suffering politician, in turn, goes to the actual Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott.
The personal courage award is shared by Mo Mowlam and the Prince of Wales, she for not letting up when faced with a thankfully benign brain tumour, he for undertaking that lonely journey to Paris on the day of Diana's death.
Neil Hamilton has proved the most persistent politician of the year, proclaiming his innocence to the point where some are beginning to wonder if he really did take those envelopes stuffed with cash from Mohammed al-Fayed. And the battle-axe trophy goes without question to Neil's formidable blonde wife Christine.
The most lethal female MP award goes to the former prisons minister, Ann Widdecombe. She has developed the great knack of mocking Tony Blair in the Commons with effect. But most memorable was her description of Michael Howard as someone with "a touch of the night" about him. Just delicious.
To John Redwood goes the award for the most effective opposition MP, in recognition of his consistency in opposing both the Conservative and Labour governments. Mr Redwood was also among the many contenders for biggest loser of the year. But the competition from colleagues like Mr Howard, Norman Lamont, and Piers Merchant was intense.
Gerry Malone ran a strong second, for his spectacular achievement in converting the Liberal Democrat majority at Winchester from two to a staggering 21,556 in that general election replay. But the prize in the end must go to the man who would have been Tory leader, Michael Portillo.
John Major proved without doubt the year's most gracious loser, while his successor, William Hague, is Britain's most underrated politician.
Our man of the people award goes to Derry Irvine, the Lord Chancellor famed for his expensive taste in wallpaper and for likening himself to Cardinal Wolsey.
There were just too many candidates for most nauseating MP, so the award goes to all the Blair babes who routinely pop up in the Commons chamber to tell the Prime Minister what a wonderful job he is doing. However, not all Labour is either New or sycophantic. And our award for the most fearless MP goes to Ken Livingstone, who made the best Commons speech against the government's plans to cut benefits for single mothers.
Finally, two awards on the Anglo-Irish front. To David Andrews, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who almost managed to steal defeat from the jaws of victory, after the Taoiseach had successfully opened a dialogue with the Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble. And to Mr Trimble himself, the prize for risk-taker of the year. It will probably be no consolation to him to know that we already have him lined up in the same category for next year. Have a good one!