Women in Westminster: The 100 is an annual celebration recognising the women shaping politics and public life. Each year, we recognise 100 individuals making a significant and lasting impact across Westminster.

Our Board of Patrons carefully review a wide range of nominations to select the final list. Those recognised are not only excelling in their fields, but also shaping debate, influencing policy and strengthening the institutions they serve. The list spans the political landscape, from parliamentarians and journalists to civil servants, campaigners, think tank leaders and public affairs professionals.

The 100 also aims to inspire the next generation by making politics feel more visible, accessible and achievable for young women.

Women in Westminster: The 100 is brought to you by The House magazine, which is owned by Total Politics. Women in Westminster: The 100 is supported by Vanguard.

The selection process for Women in Westminster: The 100 begins with a public nomination stage over a six-week period between September and November. The nomination window is promoted through: the Women in Westminster: The 100 website; The House and Civil Service World magazines; via our social media channels: including @TotalPolitics, @TheHouseMag, @politicshome, @CSWnews on X; PoliticsHome and Civil Service World on LinkedIn; and @womeninwestminster on Instagram; as well as through direct email communications to our marketing lists.

Once nominations close the Women in Westminster team conducts an initial review to ensure each submission meets the campaign’s criteria. As supporters of the initiative colleagues from Vanguard may view the nominations, but they have no influence over the selection process.

The reviewed nominations – alongside additional recommendations from our Patrons and the previous year’s list – are then submitted to our Board of Patrons who make the final selection of the 100 individuals.

Our Board of Patrons brings together individuals with cross-party political experience from both Houses of Parliament, alongside professionals with expertise in Whitehall, political journalism and public affairs.

You can view the current board here.

When selecting the final 100, our Board of Patrons will place particular emphasis on an individual’s influence and their ability to inspire others.

The Board will consider individuals who have demonstrated at least one of the following:

• Launching a high impact campaign or contributing meaningfully to the passing of significant legislation.
• Making an innovative, distinctive or unconventional impact within Westminster or Whitehall.
• Acting as a visible and effective role model for others.
• Delivering an unsung but significant contribution to the culture of Westminster or Whitehall.
• Shifting public opinion or reframing important national debates.

Please note that:

• Nominations for Women in Westminster: The 100 2027 should highlight and reflect achievements made between November 2025 and November 2026. Nominations where the nominees work reflected takes place outside of this time period will not be considered for review by the Patrons.
• Nominees do not need to be based in Westminster, but their work must have a demonstrable impact on Westminster and/or Whitehall.
• Being featured in previous editions of Women in Westminster: The 100 does not guarantee selection in future years.
• We welcome nominations that reflect the criteria set out in the Equality Act 2010. You can read more about this here.
• Members of our Board of Patrons are not eligible for inclusion due to their direct involvement in the selection process.
• We acknowledge that some individuals chosen may generate debate or divide opinion; however, this does not detract from their qualification under the stated criteria.
• The decision of our Board of Patrons is final, and no further correspondence will be entered into.

Nominations for 2027 open on 24 September 2026 and close at midnight on 6 November 2026. All nominations must be submitted through the online nomination portal. The portal link will be available on the website when nominations open.

There are countless talented women contributing to Westminster who too often go unrecognised. We invite the public to nominate any woman who has made a significant and lasting impact across the Westminster landscape.

Nominations should highlight individuals who have gone above and beyond in their roles – not only demonstrating excellence but also leading the way in politics and public service. These are women who are driving change, shaping the future and inspiring those around them.

Please ensure your nomination focuses on the nominee’s achievements during the period from November 2025 to November 2026. Nominations where the nominees work reflected takes place outside of this time period will not be considered for review by the Patrons.

Women selected for Women in Westminster: The 100 may include – but are not limited to – parliamentarians, journalists, civil servants, campaigners, think tank leaders and public affairs professionals.

How to Nominate
Public nominations must be submitted through our online nomination portal.

You will be asked to provide your contact details and complete two short questions:

Q1: Why are you nominating this individual for Women in Westminster: The 100?
Please describe what they have achieved during the period from November 2025 to November 2026 that has been influential and/or inspiring, and how it has had a significant impact on politics or public life. (Maximum 250 words)

Q2: How would you briefly describe your nominee? (Maximum 100 words)

Tips for Writing Your Nomination

• Save a draft: We recommend writing your answers in a separate document before submitting them via the portal.
• Refer to the criteria: Make sure your nomination clearly reflects how the nominee meets the Women in Westminster: The 100 criteria.
• Stay concise and accurate: Keep responses clear, focused and within the word limits. Only include publicly shareable information, quotes or statistics.
• Keep it respectful: Avoid defamatory, denigrating or abusive language.

Please note: If your nominee is selected, parts of your nomination may be used (anonymously) in creating their published profile.

Nominations for 2027 will open on 24 September 2026 and close at midnight on 6 November 2026.

It is free of charge to submit a nomination for Women in Westminster: The 100.

Nominees may be nominated by someone else or may nominate themselves, as long as they meet the Women in Westminster: The 100 criteria.

Nominees do not need to be based in Westminster, but their work must have a demonstrable impact on Westminster and/or Whitehall.

You are not required to inform the person you are nominating; however, we encourage you to do so at your discretion.

An individual only needs to be nominated once to be considered by our Patrons, and the number of nominations received does not influence the final selection. However, multiple nominations that provide additional, relevant insight or evidence of a nominee’s impact may help to strengthen their overall case.

We ask all nominators to submit their entries using the online nomination form, which ensures consistency in the format. We are unable to accept additional documents to support your nomination.

Once you submit your nomination, you will receive an automatic confirmation email. If you do not receive this email, please first check your junk or spam folder. If it is not there, contact us, as your nomination may not have been successfully submitted and therefore cannot be considered.

Due to the volume of submissions, we are unable to confirm the status of individual nominations ahead of the publication of Women in Westminster: The 100.

All individuals selected for Women in Westminster: The 100 will be notified by email prior to the list being publicly announced.

The Women in Westminster: The 100 2027 list will be announced in March 2027.

It will be published on the the Women in Westminster: The 100 website; via our social media channels: including @TotalPolitics, @TheHouseMag, @politicshome, @CSWnews on X; PoliticsHome and Civil Service World on LinkedIn; and @womeninwestminster on Instagram; as well as through direct email communications to our marketing lists. The 100 booklet will also be distributed alongside The House magazine.

Follow us on social media to stay up to date with the inspirational and talented women making an impact across the world of Westminster. Be the first to know when nominations open and when the next Women in Westminster: The 100 list is revealed.

Instagram: @womeninwestminster

Threads: @womeninwestminster

TikTok: @womeninwestminster

Website: www.womeninwestminster.co.uk

Interviews: Why not discover more aboutThe 100 through our series of In Conversation With interviews. You can read the interviews on our In Conversation With website.

You can delve into the earlier editions of Women in Westminster: The 100 through our online editions, which can be found below.

2026 Women in Westminister: The 100

2025 Women in Westminster: The 100

2024 Women in Westminster: The 100

2023 Women in Westminster: The 100

2022 Women in Westminster: The 100

2021 Women in Westminster: The 100

2020 Women in Westminster: The 100

Should you need any further information, please contact the team on [email protected].