A passionate young campaigner from Hitchin has been awarded a prestigious honour in the world of politics.

Kerrie Portman, has been included in the renowned '30 To Watch: Politics Awards' that recognise the best young talent in British politics.

The honour is to highlight the people producing fresh policy thinking, shedding new light on issues and broadening public engagement with politics.

Influential Kerrie was given the award after he tireless work with North Herts Pride, as well as campaigning against Care Leaver Homelessness.

Modest Kerrie told Hitchin Nub News: "I am indescribably honoured to be one of the winners of MPH's 30 To Watch Politics for my work as Director of North Herts Pride and my campaigning against Care Leaver Homelessness. A year ago I was a homeless Care Leaver myself with no support.

"When I first got involved with NHP I was homeless. And less than a year later when we hosted North Hertfordshire's first-ever pride it was the day right before I started Cambridge University as part of the pioneering cohort of their new Foundation Year Program for disadvantaged students. 

"I'm so grateful to the judges for awarding me such a prestigious honour but I'm also grateful I'm able to help those in the LGBTQIA+ community and Care Leavers.

Inspirational Kerrie added: "I've seen first-hand how cruel the world can be - I was tortured in care, and being shown kindness is so alien to me that I find it suspicious, but I want to do everything I can to help people."

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The list of judges included: Sir Peter Bottomley MP – Father of the House, Nusrat Ghani MP – Former Minister and 1922 Committee Vice Chair, Jo Swinson – Former Leader of the Liberal Democrats, James Kirkup – Director, the Social Market Foundation, Dr Lee De-Wit – Head of The Political Psychology Lab, Cambridge University, Caroline Wheeler – Political Editor, The Sunday Times, Roger Perowne – CEO, Savanta Comres, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP – Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, Sonia Sodha – Observer columnist & chief leader writer, Robert Ede – Head of Health and Social Care, Policy Exchange and Alison Goldsworthy – President of Accord and Depolarisation Project Founder.

James Gurling, Executive Chair, Public Affairs added: "We hope that the 30 To Watch Politics Awards can do the same for young people at the start of their career in public policy and political communication. And if the fantastic calibre of entries we received this year is anything to go by, this is an achievement that will easily be met."

Kerrie Portman (left) has been awarded a prestigious honour for her campaigning work including tireless advocacy of North Herts Pride