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ARCHIVE: Betty Boothroyd on becoming first woman Speaker in 1992

On the 30th anniversary of Betty Boothroyd being elected the Commons' first woman Speaker, here is some of her acceptance speech.

The Labour MP for West Bromwich - who would give up her party allegiance on taking the role - said she should be selected for "what I am, and not for what I was born".

Her speech from 1992 echoes issues in Parliament in 2022, where there are new claims of sexism and misogyny.

Life in Politics: Speaker and Labour MP Betty Boothroyd

27 April 2022

Betty Boothroyd

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