Westminster Dog of the Year – in pictures

Politically connected pooches square up in Victoria Tower Gardens. I'm not sure this is what Lord Tebbit had in mind Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Edward Leigh, Conservative MP for Gainsborough, hogs the umbrella in front of the houses of parliament, ruining the chances of his soggy pet William, a border terrier. We're all in this together? Pah Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

A miniature dachshund anxiously awaits the results of the count Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Jake Berry, Conservative MP for Rossendale and Darwen, keeps his coalition partner Lola the poodle entranced by his power Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Lindsay Hoyle, Labour MP for Chorley, for some reason decided to call his rottweiler Gordon Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

One dog stands as an independent Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Penny Mordaunt, Conservative MP for Portsmouth North, shows her dog, labrador cross Penny Lane, who's boss Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke backs Boris, his jack russell Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Don't let George Osborne see these Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

To the victor the, er, spoils. Second place goes to David Burrowes (left), Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate, shown off to good effect by his labrador, Cholmeley. A simmering Gordon has to settle for third place Photograph: Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images