Sir Roger Gale MP for Herne Bay and Sandwich has been awarded the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Political Purpose Awards held in Parliament. The honour recognises his tireless commitment over decades to improving animal welfare both in the UK and internationally.    

A longstanding advocate for animal protection and environmental reform, Sir Roger has led pivotal inquiries into puppy farming and the use of wild animals in circuses while serving for six years as Chair of the All-Party Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW). Sir Roger is a leading voice within Parliament for animals, having been instrumental in passing landmark legislation like the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act and challenging his own Party, while in government, to go further. He has served on multiple influential All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs), including chairing the APPG on Banning Trophy Hunting, founding the APPG for the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) and as Patron of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, consistently using his platform to champion animal protection issues.  

Sir Roger Gale speaking at the presentation of the award said:  

“I am beyond humbled to receive this award. For me, animal welfare is central to how I approach public service. However, in accepting this award I must recognise the tireless efforts of the campaigners and charities, academics, vets and many of my fellow Parliamentarians whose hard work I owe this award to. Together we have made some progress – but sadly there is much work left to do. I have always believed that animals deserve a voice in Parliament – and I am proud to be a modest part of that voice.”    

Now in their third year, the Political Purpose Awards, founded by Nature 2030, are the UK’s first awards to recognise political leadership in environmental and animal protection. Fellow nominees in the 2025 Lifetime Achievement category were Barry Gardiner MP for his vocal support of the ‘end the cage age’ campaign and Monica Lennon MSP for helping make Scotland a global leader in criminalising severe environmental destruction. Also in the category was Ed Miliband MP, who was instrumental in passing the landmark Climate Change Act and the Baroness Young of Old Scone for championing biodiversity targets and species recovery.   

Sonul Badiani-Hamment, UK Country Director at FOUR PAWS, the global animal welfare charity which co-sponsored the awards says:  

“Sir Roger’s lifelong dedication to animal welfare has shaped policy, inspired change and set a standard for compassionate leadership in Parliament. From being one of only six Conservative MPs to support the Hunting Act over 20 years ago, to campaigning to ban the import of hunting trophies into this country and end animal testing, Sir Roger has never shied away from doing what is right for animals. We are incredibly grateful for his unwavering support and look forward to many more years of work together to improve the lives of animals.”  

As the UK Government continues work on its promised comprehensive animal welfare strategy expected later this year, to deliver against the Labour Party’s promise to bring about the biggest boost to animal welfare in a generation, Sonul Badiani-Hamment continues: “Leaders like Sir Roger play a critical role in ensuring the Government’s  ambition turns into lasting protection for animals.”