THE SPADES AWARDS
”it’s a spade so we call it a spade”

The Spades Awards are presented annually to individuals or organisations who put their own commercial or political interests above the safety of humankind and planet earth.

Members of the Bad Behaviour Supporters Group nominate and vote for the losers. We call the winners “losers” because no one who is awarded a Spade can be characterised as a winner.

The Spades trophy is a three-quarter sized real garden spade made from polished stainless steel with a solid Ash handle. It’s a thing of beauty and utility unlike most of those who are nominated. The names and failings of the losers are inscribed on the blade of the spade in the plainest of plain English.

Spades are not awarded as a punishment, nor are they intended to offend, we hope they will remind the losers, and policy makers at large, that when you are in a deep hole it is time to stop digging. We also hope that nominated losers will remember that in the 17th Century when rioters and traitors were up for summary execution, the order to proceed was “put him to bed with a spade”.

Nominations for The Spades are made throughout the year. Those who are nominated are offered a right to reply and may appeal for their nomination to be struck-off. The annual Spades Awards Ceremony takes place in October. The ceremony, “more self-righteous fun than you can shake a stick at” is notable for the vanishingly small number of nominees who actually turn up to collect their awards.

Only members of the Bad Behaviour Supporters Group (BBSG) can nominate and/or vote for losers. Membership is free. Members get a whole raft of benefits and privileges including exclusive rights to attend and bring guests to the annual Spades Awards party. Register your membership here.