By Erin L. Cox, Publisher | @erinlcox
At a time when readers around the world are seeing their freedom to choose and buy the books they want already compromised or actively eroded, it is more important than ever that we in the UK celebrate the freedoms we are privileged to hold–the freedom for readers to buy, and for bookshops to curate, titles from every corner of intellectual thought, political perspective and rigorous research,” said Meryl Halls, Managing Director of the Booksellers Association.“With this year’s shortlist tackling issues from disinformation and big tech to the climate crisis and political leadership, we are delighted – as always – to gather at Westminster to champion the nuanced, researched and impactful political writing that we in the UK are fortunate to be free to publish, sell and read.”
This is the tenth annual Westminster Book Awards (formerly named Parliamentary Book Awards). Launched in 2016 by the Booksellers Association and the Publishers Association, the goal of this UK-based award was to celebrate the best of political writing and acknowledge the important link between politics and the literary world. At a time when there is increasing tension between politics and publishing, awards celebrating those who are addressing these issues have become increasingly important.
There are three categories for the award: Best Nonfiction or Fiction by a Parliamentarian, Best Biography by a Parliamentarian, and Best Political Book by a Non-Parliamentarian.
The shortlists for the tenth Westminster Book Awards are:
Best Non-Fiction or Fiction by a Parliamentarian
The New Total War: From Child Abduction to Cyber Attacks and Drones to Disinformation – Russia’s Conflict with Ukraine and the West by Bob Seely
The Football Battalions: The Elite Footballers Who Fought in the Great War by Christopher Evans
Eclipsing the West: China, India and the Forging of a New World by Vince Cable
Breaking the Taboo: Why We Need to Talk about Birth Trauma by Theo Clarke
Best Biography by a Parliamentarian
Frankly by Nicola Sturgeon
Why I care: And why care matters by Ed Davey
The Most Dangerous Man in Britain? The political writings of Tony Benn by Tony Benn, intro by Melissa Benn
A Life and a Half: The Unexpected Making of a Politician by Chris Bryant
Best Political Book by a Non-Parliamentarian
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams
The Eyes of Gaza by Plestia Alaqad
Barrister for the Earth by Monica Feria-Tinta
A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern
“It’s a privilege to reveal the shortlists for the tenth Westminster Book Awards, showcasing the best of political writing and celebrating the importance of freedom to publish to society,” said Dan Conway, CEO of the Publishers Association.
“This year’s shortlists demonstrate this theme, covering a range of important issues at a time when high-quality political thinking and analysis have never been more important. I’m looking forward to welcoming parliamentarians, authors, publishers and booksellers to the House of Lords in February to celebrate these wonderful books and their authors.”
Voting is now open for parliamentarians to decide the winner in each category and will close on January 14. Winners will be announced in a ceremony in the House of Lords on February 4, 2026, hosted by BBC Radio 5 journalist Matt Chorley.