Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the first woman Speaker of the House of Commons, dies at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge at 93

Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the first woman to be elected Speaker of the House of Commons, died at Addenbrooke’s Hospital at the age of 93 on Sunday (February 26).

The baroness, who lived in Thriplow in the latter years of her life, was described as “one of a kind” by the current speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

She became the first woman to be elected Speaker in the 700-year history of the Commons in April 1992 and stayed in the role until October 2000. She served as an MP for 27 years.

South Cambridgeshire MP Anthony Browne said on Monday he was “very sorry to hear of the death of Baroness Boothroyd, known better as simply Betty Boothroyd”.

He added: “A towering figure who rightly rose to become the first female Speaker in the House of Commons, her life and career should remain an inspiration to many. But to South Cambridgeshire she will be remembered as a much-loved fellow resident, having retired to Thriplow - I did even try to canvass her once, although alas she wasn't in!

“My thoughts are with her family, friends, and those that knew her. I know she will be dearly missed.”

Culture secretary Lucy Frazer, the MP for South East Cambridgeshire, said it was “very sad” to hear of the baroness’ death, adding: “As the first female speaker in the Commons she was a pioneer and inspiration to all women in politics.”

Born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire in 1929, the daughter of textile workers, she worked for a few years as a dancer until a foot infection put paid to that career and she entered politics.

After spells as a secretary to Labour MPs, she worked in Washington DC as a legislative consultant for an America Congressman from 1960-62, before returning to work in London for Labour politicians and serving on Hammersmith Borough Council from 1965-68.

After running for MP in four seats - including Peterborough in 1959 - she was finally elected to the Commons for West Bromwich at a 1973 by-election.

She went on to be an assistant government whip, and then served as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1975 to 1977, before spells on the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and on the Speaker’s Panel of Chairmen, as well as serving on the Labour Party National Executive Committee (NEC) from 1981-87 and the House of Commons Commission from 1983-87.

She became Deputy Speaker in 1987 under Bernard Weatherill, serving for five years before becoming Speaker, choosing not to wear the traditional wig.

In 1995, she was caught in the Atlas Mountains during Morocco’s biggest storm for 20 years. Her vehicle was immobilised and she and fellow hikers walked for nine hours to seek help before they were eventually rescued. She also took up paragliding in her 60s.

During her time as speaker, she helped the Commons navigate the political struggles over the Maastricht Treaty and the sleaze allegations during John Major’s time as Prime Minister.

She resigned as Speaker and MP in 2000, being described by then Prime Minister Tony Blair as “something of a national institution"

She was appointed to the position of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds on October 23, 2000, before being made a life peer on January 15, 2001, becoming Baroness Boothroyd of Sandwell in the County of West Midlands.

She was appointed to the Order of Merit (OM) by the Queen in 2005 and was an honorary fellow of St Hugh's College, Oxford, and St Edmund's College, Cambridge.

In 2021, when the baroness downsized from London to her country cottage in South Cambridgeshire, she sold off a haul of personal items from her political career, including a box gifted to her by the late Russian president Boris Yeltsin, which fetched £2,400.

She described her new home as a “lovely old place with beams”.

The baroness was unmarried and did not have children.

Following her death at the Cambridge hospital, Speaker Sir Lindsay said: “Not only was Betty Boothroyd an inspiring woman, but she was also an inspirational politician, and someone I was proud to call my friend.

“To be the first woman Speaker was truly ground-breaking and Betty certainly broke that glass ceiling with panache.

“She was from Yorkshire, and I am from Lancashire – so there was always that friendly rivalry between us. But from my point of view, it was heartening to hear a northern voice speaking from the chair.

“She stuck by the rules, had a no-nonsense style, but any reprimands she did issue were done with good humour and charm.

“Betty was one of a kind. A sharp, witty and formidable woman – and I will miss her.”