THERE was a worthy winner in Westminster yesterday as the MP for Weaver Vale Mike Amesbury won a convincing victory - in the annual Westminster Dog of the Year competition.

The competition, organised by the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust, took place in Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster where the winner of the ‘paw-blic’ vote was crowned alongside the overall competition winner.

Corbyn, a seven-month-old cocker spaniel/poodle cross, showed he really is the people’s pooch after receiving a staggering number of votes via the Kennel Club’s website.

He beat 12 paw-litical opponents to scoop the ‘paw-blic’ vote title, following a well-fought social media battle for victory.

The MPs entering the competition campaigned hard, canvassing for votes from the public.

This year, the event focused on the negative effect fireworks can have on dogs, how owners can minimise this stress felt by their pets, and what the government can do to better regulate the use of fireworks.

Mike Amesbury said: “It is tremendous to win the ‘paw-blic’ vote. Democracy is welcome. Corbyn is a great ambassador and the competition is so important to highlight dog welfare issues to Parliament. The public have spoken and Corbyn is the winner!”

The overall victor in this year’s Westminster Dog of The Year was Alex Norris, MP for Nottingham North, with his Border Collies, Boomer and Corona.