Astor's Parliamentary career was the most public phase of her life.
She gained attention as a woman and as someone who did not follow the rules, often attributed to her American upbringing.
On her first day in the House of Commons, she was called to order for chatting with a fellow House member, not realising that she was the person who was causing the commotion.
She learned to dress more sedately and avoided the bars and smoking rooms frequented by the men.

Early in her first term, MP Horatio Bottomley wanted to dominate the "soldier's friend" issue, and, believing she was an obstacle, sought to ruin her political career.
He capitalised on her opposition to divorce reform and her efforts to maintain wartime alcohol restrictions.
Bottomley portrayed her as a hypocrite, as she was divorced; he said the reform bill she opposed would allow women to have the same kind of divorce she had in America.
Bottomley was later imprisoned for fraud, which Astor used to her advantage in other campaigns.

Astor made friends among women MPs, including members of the other parties.
Margaret Wintringham was elected after Astor had been in office for two years.
Astor befriended Ellen Wilkinson, a member of the Labour Party (and a former Communist).
Astor later proposed creating a "Women's Party", but the female Labour MPs opposed this, as their party was in power and had promised them positions.
 Over time, political differences separated the women MPs; by 1931 Astor became hostile to female Labour members such as Susan Lawrence.

Nancy Astor's accomplishments in the House of Commons were relatively minor.
She never held a position with much influence, and never any post of ministerial rank, although her time in Commons saw four Conservative Prime Ministers in office.
The Duchess of Atholl (elected to Parliament in 1923, four years after Lady Astor) rose to higher levels in the Conservative Party before Astor did.
Astor felt if she had more position in the party, she would be less free to criticise her party's government.
She did gain passage of a bill to increase the legal drinking age to eighteen unless the minor has parental approval.

During this period Nancy Astor continued to be active outside government, supporting the development and expansion of nursery schools for children's education.
She was introduced to the issue by socialist  Margaret McMillan, who believed that her late sister helped guide her in life.
Lady Astor was initially skeptical of this aspect, but later the two women became close; Astor used her wealth to aid their social efforts.

Although active in charitable efforts, Astor became noted for a streak of cruelty.
On hearing of the death of a political enemy, she expressed her pleasure.
When people complained, she did not apologise but said, "I'm a Virginian; we shoot to kill."
Angus McDonnell, a Virginia friend, angered her by marrying without consulting her on his choice.
She later told him, regarding his maiden speech, that he "really must do better than that."
During the course of her adult life, Astor alienated many with her sharp words as well.

During the 1920s, Astor made several effective speeches in Parliament, and gained support for her Intoxicating Liquor (Sale to Persons under 18) Bill (nicknamed "Lady Astor's Bill"), raising the legal age for consuming alcohol in a public house from 14 to 18.
Her wealth and persona brought attention to women who were serving in government.
She worked to recruit women into the civil service, the police force, education reform, and the House of Lords.
She was well-liked in her constituency, as well as the United States during the 1920s, but her success is generally believed to have declined in the following decades.

In May 1922, Astor was guest of honour at a Pan-American conference held by the U.S. League of Women Voters in Baltimore, Maryland.

Astor became the first President of the newly formed Electrical Association For Women in 1924.

She chaired the first ever International Conference of Women In Science, Industry and Commerce, a three-day event held London in July 1925,
Astor's Parliamentary career was the most public phase of her life. She gained attention as a woman and as someone who did not follow the rules, often attributed to her American upbringing. On her first day in the House of Commons, she was called to order for chatting with a fellow House member, not realising that she was the person who was causing the commotion. She learned to dress more sedately and avoided the bars and smoking rooms frequented by the men.
Early in her first term, MP Horatio Bottomley wanted to dominate the "soldier's friend" issue, and, believing she was an obstacle, sought to ruin her political career. He capitalised on her opposition to divorce reform and her efforts to maintain wartime alcohol restrictions. Bottomley portrayed her as a hypocrite, as she was divorced; he said the reform bill she opposed would allow women to have the same kind of divorce she had in America. Bottomley was later imprisoned for fraud, which Astor used to her advantage in other campaigns.
Astor made friends among women MPs, including members of the other parties. Margaret Wintringham was elected after Astor had been in office for two years. Astor befriended Ellen Wilkinson, a member of the Labour Party (and a former Communist). Astor later proposed creating a "Women's Party", but the female Labour MPs opposed this, as their party was in power and had promised them positions.  Over time, political differences separated the women MPs; by 1931 Astor became hostile to female Labour members such as Susan Lawrence.
Nancy Astor's accomplishments in the House of Commons were relatively minor. She never held a position with much influence, and never any post of ministerial rank, although her time in Commons saw four Conservative Prime Ministers in office. The Duchess of Atholl (elected to Parliament in 1923, four years after Lady Astor) rose to higher levels in the Conservative Party before Astor did. Astor felt if she had more position in the party, she would be less free to criticise her party's government. She did gain passage of a bill to increase the legal drinking age to eighteen unless the minor has parental approval.
During this period Nancy Astor continued to be active outside government, supporting the development and expansion of nursery schools for children's education. She was introduced to the issue by socialist  Margaret McMillan, who believed that her late sister helped guide her in life. Lady Astor was initially skeptical of this aspect, but later the two women became close; Astor used her wealth to aid their social efforts.
Although active in charitable efforts, Astor became noted for a streak of cruelty. On hearing of the death of a political enemy, she expressed her pleasure. When people complained, she did not apologise but said, "I'm a Virginian; we shoot to kill." Angus McDonnell, a Virginia friend, angered her by marrying without consulting her on his choice. She later told him, regarding his maiden speech, that he "really must do better than that." During the course of her adult life, Astor alienated many with her sharp words as well.
During the 1920s, Astor made several effective speeches in Parliament, and gained support for her Intoxicating Liquor (Sale to Persons under 18) Bill (nicknamed "Lady Astor's Bill"), raising the legal age for consuming alcohol in a public house from 14 to 18. Her wealth and persona brought attention to women who were serving in government. She worked to recruit women into the civil service, the police force, education reform, and the House of Lords. She was well-liked in her constituency, as well as the United States during the 1920s, but her success is generally believed to have declined in the following decades.
In May 1922, Astor was guest of honour at a Pan-American conference held by the U.S. League of Women Voters in Baltimore, Maryland.
Astor became the first President of the newly formed Electrical Association For Women in 1924.
She chaired the first ever International Conference of Women In Science, Industry and Commerce, a three-day event held London in July 1925, 
Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor