New Direction
Margaret Thatcher AwardsEstablished in 2025 to honour the hundredth anniversary of the birth of our founding patron, the Margaret Thatcher Awards exist to reward excellence in public life in the promotion of our shared vision for a free society. Whether that change is being enacted through politics, academia, the media, the cultural space, or sports, New Direction aims to recognise those who are standing up for conservative beliefs.
“We wanted to recognise the outsiders. The journalists who refuse to copy-paste the mainstream narrative. The philosophers who dare to challenge the "woke" religion. The athletes and artists who use their platforms to defend freedom, rather than to cancel it. We want to award those who are fighting the cultural battle. Because, as the Iron Lady knew, you must win the argument before you can win the ballot box.”
– Nicola Procaccini MEP, President of New Direction at the Margaret Thatcher Awards,
11 December 2025
Winners 2025
Giorgia Meloni
Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s first female Prime Minister and leader of Fratelli d’Italia, has redefined the country’s political landscape with a message rooted in national pride, family values, and personal responsibility....
Rising from the ranks of Italy’s conservative youth, she has shown remarkable political tenacity turning a small party into the leading force in Italian politics.
Since taking office in 2022, Meloni has sought to blend patriotic conviction with pragmatic governance, steering Italy through complex debates over migration, energy, and Europe’s future. Her leadership is marked by discipline, resilience, and a refusal to be underestimated qualities that echo the Thatcherite spirit of conviction over conformity.
Much like Thatcher, Meloni embodies a politics of purpose rather than posture. She combines ideological clarity with a keen sense of the possible, presenting herself not only as a conservative reformer but also as a woman determined to translate words into lasting action.
Lord Michael Gove
Lord Michael Gove is one of the most influential conservative thinkers and reformers in modern British politics....
Over a career spanning education, justice, environment, and housing, he has consistently championed institutional reform, accountability, and the renewal of civic responsibility. His intellectual rigor and moral seriousness have earned him both admirers and adversaries across party lines.
A journalist before entering Parliament in 2005, Gove has been a leading advocate of evidence-based policymaking and the importance of moral clarity in public life. His tenure as Education Secretary was transformative, reshaping British schooling in the name of higher standards and opportunity. Like Thatcher, Gove has been guided by conviction rather than consensus.
He now edits The Spectator, Britains oldest magazine first published in 1828, and the first in the world to achieve 100,000 editions. The Spectator remains a leading voice for the conservative movement.
Angel Studios
Founded on a model that empowers communities to support the stories they believe in, the studio has positioned itself as both a creative venture and a cultural movement....
Its guiding philosophy is that heritage is not merely something to preserve, but something to renew.
The studio’s breakout success, The Chosen, has become a global phenomenon, offering a serialized and character-driven portrayal of the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Its innovative distribution, fan-driven funding, and wide international reach have made Angel Studios an influential force in faith-based entertainment.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emerged as the symbol of democratic resistance in Belarus after the 2020 presidential elections....
A former teacher and translator, she entered politics only when her husband, opposition figure Siarhei Tsikhanouski, was imprisoned by the Lukashenko regime. In the months that followed, she galvanized a movement that united millions of Belarusians in a peaceful struggle for freedom and dignity.
Tsikhanouskaya continues to lead the Belarusian democratic movement from abroad, advocating for human rights and international solidarity. Her moral courage and quiet determination have made her a global symbol of hope against tyranny. In the spirit of Thatcher’s words, she represents the enduring power of conviction the belief that even in the darkest circumstances, good can prevail through faith and perseverance.
Rémi Brague
Rémi Brague is a French historian, philosopher, and writer known for his deep erudition and his ability to bridge ancient thought with contemporary questions....
Trained as a classicist, he began his career immersed in Aristotle and medieval philosophy, driven by the ambition to produce the book on Aristotle that he believed Heidegger should have written. His scholarship spans Greek, Jewish, and Islamic intellectual traditions, reflecting a rare commitment to understanding Europe’s civilizational roots through dialogue rather than dogma.
Brague has long been a champion of what he calls Europe’s “Roman” identity, an openness to inheritance, transmission, and reinterpretation. His essays and books challenge prevailing academic fashions, insisting that meaningful debate requires courage, clarity, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.
Jack Niklaus
Jack Nicklaus, is one of the greatest golfers in the history of the sport....
Over a career that spanned decades, he set a standard of excellence that remains unmatched, with 18 major championships and countless records that continue to define competitive golf. His combination of power, precision, and strategic insight reshaped expectations of what a professional golfer could achieve.
Beyond the fairway, Nicklaus has devoted himself to golf course design, philanthropy, and mentorship, extending his influence far beyond his own playing days. His thoughtful, analytical approach to both sport and life reflects a lifelong love of golf not only as a competitive pursuit but as a discipline that rewards patience, observation, and constant refinement.
Neal Mcdonough
Neal McDonough is an American actor known for his intense screen presence, strong principles, and wide-ranging roles across film and television....
From war dramas like Band of Brothers to action series and the Marvel Universe, he has built a reputation as a character actor capable of bringing depth, conviction, and moral complexity to the screen. His distinctive performances often draw on a disciplined theatrical background and a sense of purpose that sets him apart in Hollywood.
McDonough has also become known for his personal integrity and willingness to take career risks to remain true to his values. This commitment has shaped the kinds of roles he accepts and the artistic challenges he pursues.