Betty Boothroyd

The Right Honourable Betty Boothroyd, Baroness Boothroyd, OM, PC (born 1931 in Dewsbury), is a widely respected British politician. She served as Speaker of the House of Commons for eight years, and is also widely known as having been a member of the Tiller Girls dancing troupe in her younger years.

Related Topics:
The Right Honourable - OM - PC - 1931 - Dewsbury - British - Politician - Speaker of the House of Commons

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She entered Parliament as Labour MP for West Bromwich in a by-election in 1973. She became a deputy Speaker in 1987. In 1992 she was elected Speaker, being the first woman ever to hold the position. She stepped down in 2000, and resigned as an MP, being succeeded by Michael Martin as Speaker. After she stepped down she was created Baroness Boothroyd and sits in the House of Lords as a cross-bencher.

Related Topics:
Labour - West Bromwich - By-election - 1973 - 1987 - 1992 - 2000 - Michael Martin - House of Lords - Cross-bencher

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She is Chancellor of the Open University and has donated some of her personal papers to the University's archives.

Related Topics:
Chancellor - Open University

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In April 2005 she was appointed to the Order of Merit.

Related Topics:
2005 - Order of Merit

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