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Regional and hyperlocal journalists up for ‘most prestigious’ political writing prize

Orwell PrizeRegional and hyperlocal journalists have been longlisted for an award described as “Britain’s most prestigious prize for political writing”.

Manchester Evening News politics and investigations editor Jen Williams has won a nomination for this year’s Orwell Prize for Exposing Britain’s Social Evils.

Also longlisted in the same category are Adam Cantwell-Corn and Alon Aviram, of the Bristol Cable.

A total of 13 entrants have made the longlist in total.

Jen’s nomination states: “In the past year political focus has shifted dramatically onto northern communities.

“Jennifer Williams’ entries put people at the heart of political failure here, covering the notion of the so-called ‘left behind town’ and its implications of blame, unpicking the impact of layers of harmful policymaking in Oldham and exploring the reality of an under-reported crisis – council cutbacks – across all Greater Manchester, the impact of which cuts across every area of people’s lives.”

Adam and Alon’s place on the longlist comes after a five-year investigation to “expose slave-like conditions on a Bristol high street”.

Their nomination states: “It started as a tip-off. It was said over the din of a busy kitchen to a co-founder of the Bristol Cable, working as a kitchen porter as the media co-operative got off the ground.

“Then, following an investigation spanning 5 years, one of Bristol’s most notorious bosses was facing accountability, and two men had been released from slave-like conditions.

“Undercover reporting, a good amount of shoe leather, open source intelligence, the cultivation of dozens of brave but apprehensive sources helped tell this story of modern Britain, putting a halt to decades of impunity.

“An engagement-led approach maximised official impact, including community events, a custom microsite and collaboration with the local BBC.”

The shortlists for the prize will be revealed next month.