Ottawa journalist Paul Wells wins $25,000 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize

OTTAWA – Ottawa journalist Paul Wells has won this year’s $25,000 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing.

The political editor of Maclean’s magazine received the annual award for his book “The Longer I’m Prime Minister: Stephen Harper and Canada, 2006-” (Random House Canada).

The Writers’ Trust of Canada handed out the honour at the Politics and the Pen gala in Ottawa on Wednesday.

Wells beat out four other finalists, who each received $2,500.

Jury members praised his book as “a fast-paced, romping great read about a prime minister who is frequently described by the Parliamentary Press Gallery as dull, plodding and inscrutable.”

“Though viscerally funny and often biting, this book is never partisan or unfair,” jury members Licia Corbella, Jane O’Hara and Doug Saunders said in a statement.

“Impeccably researched, gorgeously written and deeply insightful, ‘The Longer I’m Prime Minister’ is an essential read for all political junkies.”

Named after the late MP from Windsor, Ont., the award honours a book of literary non-fiction “that captures a political subject of relevance to Canadian readers and has the potential to shape or influence thinking on Canadian political life.”

Bell Media sponsors the prize, which is into its 14th year and is supported by Politics and the Pen.