Rishi Sunak leads tributes at funeral of 'remarkable' former Commons speaker Betty Boothroyd

29 March 2023, 13:53 | Updated: 29 March 2023, 16:23

Mourners have gathered for the funeral of Betty Boothroyd, the first ever female Commons Speaker, following her death aged 93 last month.
Mourners have gathered for the funeral of Betty Boothroyd, the first ever female Commons Speaker, following her death aged 93 last month. Picture: Getty / Alamy

By Chris Samuel

Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer led mourners at the funeral of the first ever female Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd.

Baroness Boothroyd, who was an MP for 27 years, before sitting in the house of Lords for two decades, overturned more than 700 years of parliamentary tradition when she was became Commons speaker in April 1992.

The Prime Minister and Labour leader were among the mourners that gathered to pay their respects to the trailblazing parliamentarian at St George's Church, Thriplownear, on Wednesday, close to her Cambridgeshire home.

Leading the tributes ahead of the funeral, the PM said: "Today we come together from across the political spectrum to remember one of our greatest Speakers – the remarkable Betty Boothroyd. Parliament stands taller because of her service."

Mr Sunak also earlier hailed Ms Boothroyd's as "a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to politics", while former PM Theresa May praised "inimitable style", and "immense personal warmth and kindness".

Read more: 'He was full of life': Paul O'Grady producer says comedian was 'laughing and smiling' hours before his death

Read more: Thousands of asylum seekers to be housed in military sites including former Dambusters base

Mr Sunak walked up the path leading to the 12th century church, before being greeted outside the building.

Following the news last month, flags were flown at half mast in Westminster, while MPs held a minute's silence in the Commons in her memory.

Sunak arriving at the service on Wednesday
Sunak arriving at the service on Wednesday. Picture: Getty
Labour leader Keir Starmer was also in attendance
Labour leader Keir Starmer was also in attendance. Picture: Getty

Following her passing in February, Mr Starmer said: "Betty Boothroyd was an incredible and inspirational woman.

"As Speaker, she was at the forefront of a generation that smashed the glass ceiling for female politicians. She made the role her own, with a wit and style that will never be replicated."

Current Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who was also at the service, described Lady Boothroyd as "one of a kind" following her death, as tributes flooded in from across the world of politics.

Baroness Boothroyd was born in Dewsbury in 1929. Raised in a working class family, her mother was in Labour.

She did not immediately embark on a political career – instead holding dreams of becoming a dancer on the West End – but she then contested four election unsuccessfully before winning the West Bromwich seat in the 1973 election.

Baroness Boothroyd during her time as speaker
Baroness Boothroyd during her time as speaker. Picture: Alamy

After becoming a strong advocate for Britain’s membership of the common market – a position she would hold for decades as she campaigned for a “people’s vote” on Brexit – Baroness Boothroyd became deputy speaker in 1987, then became the first speaker after being elected in 1992 when Bernard Weatherill stepped down.

“Call me madam,” she told and MP who asked how he should refer to her.

"Elect me for what I am, and not for what I was born," she said.

Known for her no-nonsense approach to presiding over the Commons, Baroness Boothroyd helped to modernise the appearance of the speaker, refusing to wear the traditional wig.

She said her most memorable moment during her time in the job was Nelson Mandela’s state visit in 1996.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who was also at the service, described Lady Boothroyd as "one of a kind" following her death
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who was also at the service, described Lady Boothroyd as "one of a kind" following her death. Picture: Getty

She stood down in 2000 and was made a life peer in 2001, then received the Order of Merit from the Queen in 2005.

In her later years, she was a prominent voice for a second referendum on Brexit, and was sharply critical of Boris Johnson's handling of Partygate.

Tony Blair, whose first years as prime minister were during Baroness Boothroyd's final years, said after her passing: "It was a testament to Betty's many fine qualities that she became the first female Speaker and the first from the Opposition benches.

"She was a truly outstanding Speaker, presiding with great authority, warmth and wit, for which she had our deep respect and admiration.

"It was a privilege to be in Parliament during her tenure and to know her as the big-hearted and kind person she was. My thoughts are with her family and many friends."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Ingrid Lackova, 15.

Police launch urgent hunt for missing girl, 15, not seen since Monday

The UK has a 50:50 chance of seeing temperatures soar to 40C again in the next 12 years

Heatwaves above 40C and scorching weather 'lasting over a month' the future for UK weather, says Met Office

Indonesia

Flights cancelled and villages evacuated after volcanic eruption spews 11km tower of ash into air

Penryn College's deputy headteacher is accused of having sexual relations with a former pupil.

Married deputy headteacher 'had sex with pupil, 16, in her house when dad was away', court hears

The NHS logo.

NHS launches new drive to find more people with deadly pancreatic cancer

Doctor injecting collagen into young womans lip

Warning over 'Wild West' treatments as procedures such as lip injections and butt lifts 'offered in public toilets'

Pamela Anderson arrives on the red carpet at the 2025 Met Gala

Pamela Anderson says filters and AI being used on photos has led to people becoming 'boring-looking'

Iran's ongoing retaliatory attacks with ballistic missiles towards Israel are seen from Tel Aviv, Israel

Trump calls for 'unconditional surrender' from Iran - as US President 'considering US strike on Iran'

A man walks past empty shelves in a branch of the Co-op in Manchester following the major cyber attack.

Major UK supermarket offering 25% off £40 shops in ‘thank you’ to members after cyber attack

Cyclists are sending a record amount of video footage to police after being overtaken too closely by motorists, new figures show.

Cyclists sending record number of videos to police after being overtaken too closely by drivers, figures show

Exclusive
Suspended chief constable Nick Adderley

Disgraced police chief slammed for ‘unacceptable’ role in Harry Dunn case

Grenfell tower cover in white tarpaulin

Government pressed over why Grenfell cladding ‘crooks’ not behind bars

Donald Trump is said to be considering joining Israel in striking Iran

Trump 'considering US strike on Iran' - hours after claiming to know supreme leader's location

The biggest lottery prize the UK has seen could still be won after Tuesday’s EuroMillions draw had no winners.

EuroMillions record £208 million jackpot won by single ticket holder

Referee David Coote has been sacked.

Sacked Premier League referee David Coote charged by FA over ‘German c***’ Jurgen Klopp comments

Exclusive
Relatives of the Palestinians killed in Israeli attack, mourn as they carry the bodies to Nasser hospital for funeral procedures in Khan Yunis

Israeli Ambassador denies IDF is 'targeting civilians' as medics say 59 Palestinians killed by IDF at aid distribution centre