Betty Boothroyd was a British politician and former Speaker of the House of Commons, the first woman to hold this position. She was born on October 8, 1929, in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England.
Boothroyd began her political career as a member of the Labour Party and was first elected to Parliament in 1973 as the Member of Parliament (MP) for West Bromwich.
She held various positions in the Labour Party before being appointed as the Speaker of the House of Commons in 1992, a position she held until 2000.
As Speaker, Boothroyd was known for her impartiality and firmness in maintaining the rules and traditions of the House of Commons. She was also a strong advocate for modernizing Parliament and making it more accessible to the public.
After retiring as Speaker, Boothroyd was made a life peer and became Baroness Boothroyd.
She continued to be active in politics, serving as Chancellor of the Open University from 1994 to 2006 and as a member of the House of Lords.
Boothroyd died at Addenbrooke’s Hospital on 26 February 2023 at the age of 93. Her death was announced the following day by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House.
Betty Boothroyd Parents: Meet Ben Archibald Boothroyd and Mary Elsie Smith
Betty Boothroyd’s parents were Ben Archibald Boothroyd and Mary Elsie Smith. Ben Boothroyd worked as a textile worker and was active in the Labour Party, serving as a local councilor in Dewsbury.
Mary Smith was a weaver and a mill worker. Betty Boothroyd was born and raised in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England, and was the youngest of three children in her family.
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