Trailblazer’s life celebrated across the political divide
LONDON THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN HONOUR OF BARONESS BOOTHROYD
CURRENT and former politicians attended a service of thanksgiving for the life and work of Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the trailblazing ex-speaker of the Commons who died last February, aged 93.
Her funeral took place at a 12th century church in Thriplow, the Cambridgeshire village she called home in her later years, a month later.
She was the first and, so far, only woman to be elected to the role of speaker.
A thanksgiving service was held on Tuesday (January 16) at St Margaret’s Church in Westminster, central London, to mark her contribution to public life.
The church is only metres from the Houses of Parliament where Lady Boothroyd made her name during a decades-long politics career.
A current crop of parliamentarians attended the service, including Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt.
Sarah Brown, wife of former prime minister Gordon Brown, former foreign secretary Lord David Owen and former chancellor Lord Philip Hammond attended, as did former independent MP Martin Bell and Ukip leader Neil Hamilton and his wife Christine.
Lady Boothroyd, a former Labour MP, shattered more than 700 years of parliamentary tradition when she became the first woman to be elected speaker in April 1992, staying on until October 2000.
She then entered the Lords as a crossbench peer in January 2001.
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.
She unsuccessfully contested four parliamentary seats before being elected to West Bromwich (later to become West Bromwich West) in May 1973, serving as an MP for 27 years before starting her career in the Lords.
After her funeral in March 2023, Sir Lindsay told PA news agency he would remember Lady Boothroyd “not only as a friend, but an inspiration”.
“She smashed that glass ceiling to smithereens. She became the first and only woman speaker we’ve ever had,” he said.
“She is one of the greatest speakers ever known. One of the greatest women that I can honestly say that I have known.
“I will always be in awe and always thank her for her kindness and her advice.”
Items from Lady Boothroyd’s estate are due to go under the hammer at Special Auction Services in Newbury, Berkshire, next Tuesday (January 23) to raise money for six charities.
The items up for auction – estimated to fetch £200,000 – include a large, certificated diamond solitaire ring, photographs, her collection of frogs and a Frances Segelman resin bust of Lady Boothroyd.