Continuing our series, we chose five men and five women who’ve achieved remarkable things this year. Our selection of the best people of 2014 includes a mixture of individuals from the world’s of fashion, film, journalism, medicine, music and politics.
The men
The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown MP
He may have been one of the worst Prime Ministers in history, but in 2014 Gordon Brown stepped up to the mark. His heartfelt plea to voters in the Scottish independence referendum vote saved Great Britain.
Simon Danczuk MP
This Labour Member of Parliament for Rochdale has shown resolve and determination throughout 2014 in campaigning for justice for victims of historic abuse in Westminster and elsewhere. Simon Danczuk deserves to be knighted as soon as the paedophile politicians are shown for what they truly are.
James Foley (1973 – 2014)
American journalist James Foley’s family believe he did not die in vain when he was cruelly beheaded by ISIS in August 2014. A foundation created in his honour “will push for the discussion, development and coordination of policies that are consistent, transparent, and accountable to all American citizens held captive world-wide”.
Shia LeBeouf
In February 2014, this eccentric actor wore a paper bag over his head emblazoned with the words “I am not famous anymore”. In doing so, Shia LeBeouf summed up the views of many who believe that the “celebrity culture” that has overtaken our planet has become nothing other than tedious.
Stephen Sutton MBE (1994 – 2014)
As of the 31st December 2014, the late Stephen Sutton’s Just Giving page has raised over £4.5 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Of him, Kevin Spacey’s filmmaker-in-residence, Grigorij Richters, commented: “He wanted to make sure that we remember him as the positive person he was and not as a cancer sufferer”.
The women
Victoria Beckham
This year, Victoria Beckham’s rise from popstar to international tycoon and fashion icon was completed. She could still do with learning to smile but she truly deserves the respect of the nation.
Kate Bush
This eccentric songstress came out of the closet in 2014 and played a sell out show of 22 nights after years hidden from public view. Kate Bush delighted audiences and brought joy wherever she went.
Stella Creasy MP
The Labour MP for Walthamstow and a leading campaigner against Twitter trolls, Stella Creasy secured a victory for common sense when one of her abusers, Peter Nunn, was jailed for making threats against her in September 2014.
Prof. Janet Hemingway CBE, FRS, FMedSci FRCP
The groundbreaking work of the British parasitologist and director of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) Janet Hemingway, it was revealed this year, has resulted in the halving of the number people dying from malaria since 2001.
Malala Yousafzai
The youngest ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize aged just 17 in October 2014, Malala Yousafzai has courageously fought against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education. The German Chancellor Angela Merkel termed her: “The identity of Pakistan”.
Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter here:
