The Award was created in memory of Hugo Young, a political columnist at The Guardian for almost 20 years and who died in 2003. Hugo was one of the most influential figures in British political journalism. An institution for the newspaper, his pronouncements twice a week were mandatory reading for all those who took politics seriously.

Championing the best political opinion writing amongst students and young people across the UK, this award celebrates Hugo’s legacy by encouraging fresh voices, new perspectives and great writing which, now more than ever, are essential to the future of quality, independent political journalism.

Entrants are set the challenge to write an opinion piece on a subject using ideas and perspectives they feel are currently under-represented.

A panel of senior Guardian journalists shortlist the most topical, thoughtful and well-researched entries, and from these choose a winner who is announced at the award ceremony.

The winner has their piece published in The Guardian, the opportunity to shadow one of The Guardian’s political editors in the lobby and receives a cash prize of £500.