Jessops compThe results were announced today in the House of Commons, where the best pictures went on show

Picture: Damien Demolder

MPs have taken on Lords in a hotly fought contest to find the best photographers.

Five politicians – three MPs and two Lords – were today named winners of the Jessops All-Party Parliamentary Photographic Competition, a contest put on the back burner last year as a result of the General Election.

The triumphant MPs were named as Peter Luff, Tim Loughton and Nick Raynsford, while Lord Allenby and Lord Crathorne struck gold for the House of Lords.

Peers were represented by, among others, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Lord Healey and former NATO secretary general Lord Robertson who had six photos selected for the exhibition.

More than 450 images were entered into the contest, each politician being asked to submit up to 10 pictures.

Peter Luff

Picture: Peter Luff

Austin Mitchell, who chairs the Parliamentary All-Party Photography Group, applauded the quality of entries.

Speaking at the exhibition of winning images in the House of Commons this lunchtime Mitchell said: ?The standard has risen again this year.?

However, the number of entries was down on the record-breaking 2009 contest, which pulled in more than 600 photos.

Mitchell said he wants more politicians to pick up a camera next year, to mirror an ?explosion? in photography brought about by digital technology.

?It?s an art for all of us,? he added.

The MP for Great Grimsby later quipped: ?I?d like to thank the judges who did not vote by AV [Alternative Vote].’

Lord Crathorn

Picture: Lord Crathorn

Judges included Amateur Photographer Editor Damien Demolder and photographer Dr Mike Maloney OBE.

Commons speaker John Bercow, who opened the exhibition, described the standard of entries as ?outstanding?.

Bercow (pictured below) paid tribute to entrants, in particular Lord [Denis] Healey. ?Everyone will remember Healey?s eye,? said Bercow, noting that Healey?s passion for photography is among a ?vast vista? of his other interests.

Jessops marketing director Sean Emmett added: ‘The quality of entries proves just how many skilled photographers we have in Parliament and presented judges with a hugely difficult task when selecting the winners.’

The best pictures will be on show from 16-20 May in The Robing Room of the House of Lords.

They will also be available to view on Jessops? Facebook page at www.facebook.com/jessops

John BercowCommons speaker John Bercow who opened the exhibition

Picture credit: Damien Demolder