Betty Boothroyd

Offset

A legend.  RIP Betty.

Philly_Q

I must admit she falls into the "I thought she must have died years ago" category for me, but RIP.

Speaking of that category, and the world of politics, I see Bernard Ingham died a few days ago.

axisus

I never knew that there was such a thing as a Speaker before Betty. She seemed formidable! A woman in charge in the best sense of the word.

I have no idea who the speaker is now ....

Offset

Philly_Q said:

I must admit she falls into the "I thought she must have died years ago" category for me, but RIP.

Speaking of that category, and the world of politics, I see Bernard Ingham died a few days ago.

Ah I missed that.  I stood next to him on a Clapham Junction platform many years ago.  He looked like a pitbull licking piss off a stinging nettle.

EricTheWeary

I don’t know enough about Betty to really add anything although she was synonymous with West Bromwich for many years and maybe helped raise the profile of her adopted town. 

And I’ve now got She Said She Was a Dancer by Jethro Tull in my head, that early part of her career always seemed a stark contrast to the serious person she became. RIP. 

lustycourtier

Philly_Q said:

I must admit she falls into the "I thought she must have died years ago" category for me, but RIP.

Speaking of that category, and the world of politics, I see Bernard Ingham died a few days ago.

He'll be burning with his old boss. 

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Philly_Q

axisus said:

I never knew that there was such a thing as a Speaker before Betty. She seemed formidable! A woman in charge in the best sense of the word.

I have no idea who the speaker is now ....

Sir Lindsay Hoyle?  I think you'd recognise him if you saw (or heard) him.

The first one I remember is George Thomas.  I think there were allegations about him after his death...

Kittyfrisk

Fine woman & MP.  Pugnacious with principles & attitude. RIP.