Betty Boothroyd

2023 - 3 - 29

Post cover — Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Betty Boothroyd: Funeral held for first woman Commons Speaker (BBC News)

Baroness Boothroyd, who served as Commons Speaker from 1992 to 2000, died aged 93 in late February.

To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’. You may want to read We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. Ms Melaniphy added: "In the country she was known to many people as Baroness Boothroyd, in Parliament she was Madam Speaker, but to us she was simply Betty." She was the Labour MP for West Bromwich West from 1973 to 2000 and became a baroness in the House of Lords in 2001. "What was lovely about it was that her family was there, her very close friends were there, members of the village were there and members of Parliament were there - it was a service that included all of her life and each part of that reflected how highly she was regarded."

'Remarkable' Betty Boothroyd remembered at funeral attended by PM (Chard & Ilminster News)

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are among mourners paying their last respects to Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the only female ...

Born to mill worker parents in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in 1929, Lady Boothroyd was a professional dancer from 1946 to 1948 and appeared in pantomime in London’s West End before going into politics. Mr Sunak called her “remarkable” as he led the tributes, saying: “Parliament stands taller because of her service.” Current Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle appeared to remark on the chilly and drizzly weather as he exchanged a few words with the people greeting mourners outside, saying his “heart is still warm”.

Betty Boothroyd hailed for 'smashing the glass ceiling' as mourners ... (Mirror.co.uk)

MPs from across the political divide came together to pay tribute to the trailblazer who is the only woman to become Commons Speaker.

The entry music was Climb Ev'ry Mountain sung by Dame Patricia Routledge, who was a very close friend of Baroness Betty Boothroyd's,” she added. She actually was a neighbour, she used to visit housebound neighbours and chat to them. "She was a very popular resident. One of the greatest women that I can honestly say that I have known. She is one of the greatest speakers ever known. "She smashed that glass ceiling to smithereens.

Rishi Sunak leads tributes at funeral of 'remarkable' first female ... (Sky News)

The prime minister and opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer were among two of the mourners who attended the funeral of Betty Boothroyd in Cambridge.

[died last month at the age of 93](https://news.sky.com/story/baroness-boothroyd-first-female-speaker-of-the-house-of-commons-has-died-aged-93-12724383). The former Labour MP died last month at the age of 93. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family." [Baroness Boothroyd 1929-2023](https://news.sky.com/story/baroness-boothroyd-first-female-speaker-of-the-house-of-commons-has-died-aged-93-12724383) [Politics latest: Raab and Rayner take centre stage at PMQs](https://news.sky.com/story/politics-latest-raf-bases-to-be-used-to-house-asylum-seekers-12593360) [Humza Yousaf sworn in as Scotland's first minister](https://news.sky.com/story/humza-yousaf-sworn-in-as-scotlands-first-minister-at-court-of-session-in-edinburgh-12844721) [Sir Lindsay Hoyle](https://news.sky.com/topic/sir-lindsay-hoyle-9081), who also attended the funeral, described Baroness Boothroyd as "one of a kind" after MPs from across the political spectrum paid tribute after the announcement of her death. [Mr Sunak](https://news.sky.com/topic/rishi-sunak-8527) and Labour leader [Sir Keir](https://news.sky.com/topic/keir-starmer-6820) in attendance, leaving their deputies to [stand at the despatch box for Prime Minister's Questions](https://news.sky.com/story/politics-latest-raf-bases-to-be-used-to-house-asylum-seekers-12593360).

Sunak and Starmer pay tribute to Betty Boothroyd at funeral of first ... (The Independent)

Prime minister leads tributes as her successor Sir Lindsay Hoyle says she was one of the greatest women he has ever known.

Some four years later in 2005 she was given an Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II. One of the greatest women that I can honestly say that I have known. However, the former speaker banned women from breast-feeding during select committee hearings. She won a vote by 372 votes to 238 against Conservative MP John Brooke. She is one of the greatest speakers ever known. Her funeral took place at a church near her home in Cambridgeshire.

Rishi Sunak leads tributes to Baroness Betty Boothroyd as mourners ... (Daily Mail)

Lady Boothroyd, MP for 27 years before sitting in the Lords for Labour for two further decades, shattered more than 700 years of parliamentary tradition ...

This figure rose to 60 by the time she became Speaker. She made the role her own, with a wit and style that will never be replicated.' It was Baroness Boothroyd to the end.' I can remember the Queen's Jubilee, she was around then.' She actually was a neighbour, she used to visit housebound neighbours and chat to them. Baroness Boothroyd gained respect from both sides of the House for her charm and 'no-nonsense' style in the chair from 1992 to 2000 The Order of Service for the funeral of former Speaker of the House of Commons taking place today And I've got to say, the service was so fitting. Baroness Boothroyd gained respect from both sides of the House for her charm and 'no-nonsense' style in the chair from 1992 to 2000. 'She was a very popular resident. Guests arrive for the funeral of former Speaker of the House of Commons Betty Boothroyd at St George's Church, Thriplow Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrives to attend the funeral of former Speaker of the House of Commons Betty Boothroyd

'Inspiration' Betty Boothroyd remembered at funeral attended by PM (Evening Standard)

Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer were among mourners paying their last respects to the first and so far only woman to be speaker.

“She is one of the greatest speakers ever known. It was Baroness Boothroyd to the end.” “As I said in the service, in the country she was known to many people as Baroness Boothroyd, in Parliament she was Madam Speaker, but to us she was simply Betty.” Sir Lindsay said she had “lived life to the fullest”, enjoying cigarettes and gin and tonic, and “took every challenge in her stride”. “And so it was a service that included all of her life and each part of that reflected how highly she was regarded.” She added: “What was lovely about it was that her family was there, her very close friends were there, members of the village were there and members of Parliament were there.

'Inspiration' Betty Boothroyd remembered at funeral attended by PM (Tivyside Advertiser)

Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer were among mourners paying their last respects to the first and so far only woman to be speaker.

“She is one of the greatest speakers ever known. “And so it was a service that included all of her life and each part of that reflected how highly she was regarded.” It was Baroness Boothroyd to the end.” She added: “What was lovely about it was that her family was there, her very close friends were there, members of the village were there and members of Parliament were there. Mr Sunak called her “remarkable” as he led the tributes ahead of the funeral, saying: “Parliament stands taller because of her service.” The Rector of Thriplow, who led the private noon service, said it had been planned by Lady Boothroyd and reflected how highly regarded she was in all walks of life.

Betty Boothroyd

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