First woman Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd dies aged 93

Tributes are being paid to former Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd after her death aged 93.

Baroness Boothroyd was the first woman to hold the key role, and enjoyed huge respect on all sides of the House for her charm and ‘no-nonsense’ style. 

Lindsay Hoyle, the current Speaker of the House of Commons, 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.

Baroness Boothroyd was the first woman to hold the key role, and enjoyed huge respect on all sides of the House

Baroness Boothroyd served as Speaker between 1992 and the year 2000

‘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.’

Baroness Boothroyd was Speaker between 1992 and 2000, straddling the final years of John Major’s Tory government the first phase of Tony Blair’s time in power.

When she took on the job less than three years after TV cameras were first allowed to broadcast live proceedings from the chamber.

Prior to becoming Speaker she was Labour MP for West Bromwich for two decades, sitting as an independent during her time in the chair and then entering the House of Lords. 

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: ‘A real trailblazer. Rest in peace Ma’am.’ 

Former Cabinet minister David Davis said: ‘Very sad news that Betty Boothroyd has died. 

‘Although I had my differences with her, she was a formidable Speaker and had a historic place as the first female Speaker of the House of Commons.’