This article explores the recent reforms to candidate selection procedures in the Conservative Party. It focuses on the impact of the rule changes on the proportion of female candidates selected for winnable and target seats. It finds that the “A-list” was highly effective, that marginality had no significant effects and that constituencies which selected using an open primary were less likely to select a woman as their candidate. This is used to argue that a lack of suitable women coming forward as candidates, rather than sexism in the party, is the major cause of the shortage of Conservative female MPs.