| Madam Speaker
Betty Boothroyd |
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The Central Lobby at the Palace of Westminster, Its an impressive place, very high Victorian. The central lobby is usually where you see members interviewed on the Television. A clerk crosses the floor. He is dressed in black knee breeches and tights. He wears a black cutaway jacket with a little black pony tail on the collar at the back. Baroness Boothroyd comes across the lobby. She is charismatic and colourful , and a young man greets her to say how much he admired her. There is nothing intimidating about Baroness Boothroyd. Going up in the Peers' lift, she marvels that people should admire her, and the young particularly.
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Entering her room, she explains that she's lucky to have this room to herself. Its usually 4 lords sharing. She has an amazing silk jacket patterned of many colours which sits well in front of the red curtains and the wall paper busy with the lords logo. Not one to fade into the background. Friendly and welcoming, make yourself comfortable. We can do this in half an hour; two intelligent women. |
She likes Melbourne, especially for the races, been there twice. But then there is hardly any country that she hasn't visited, nor statesman or women of the 20th Century whom she hasn't met. Highly regarded by many politicians abroad who envied the British lower house and wish they had someone of her authority to run theirs. Back to top |
Once in Interview she mentioned that politics and the respect for the institution of parliament, was "under her fingernails, like miners dust. No matter how hard you scrub you can't get rid of it." She is very much a woman of her time, in some of her expectations and beliefs, and that is understandable. The world of politics, and respect for institutions is not the one she grew up in, the one when she entered politics. The respect in which she is held, by both parties as Speaker is unprecedented. She has a very clear moral compass, and the highest respect for the Institution of Parliament.
And while she is rightly proud of this, another honour amongst many is most prized by her. The Chancellor of the Open University. Started by Jennie Lee of her own party, the only university with no entry exam. At each graduation, there are many grandmothers, who bring the younger members of their family. Back to top |
It is clear that Baroness Boothroyd would have like to be a graduate herself, Yet she stands as a role model for any young woman who want to achieve something exceptional. Her sheer determination. Once she'd worked as a Personal Assisant and realized how good she was, she thought "I can do that as well as you, and I am as committed as you"; but to fight 16 by-elections and not be disheartened! She'd her heart set on being there. She knew it was what she wanted to do. Back to top |
How did you get into politics?
I was an only child. My parents were not high fliers. They were local people in local groups, not even regional groups. I grew up hearing them talk. There was no seminal moment. I call it the inevitability of gradualness, I was a young socialist, I was in the league of youth. Then I came to London, working as a Personal Assistant to an MP. I was a very good Personal Assistant. I thought, "I can do this as well as they can. I'm as committed as they are". I learned a great deal from him. How to handle people, how to do the job.
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Can being a woman be an advantage?
The press will focus on you being a woman, but you can use it to advantage. Women are more colourful. When I fought a by-election, they thought I wasn't strong enough, but you can use the press to your advantage. Back to top |
Even now are women treated differently in the House?
Without naming names, for some of the women in the House, when there are women members leaving and going back to their families, it's said that they can't hack it. The press never speak of those who make a success of combining both careers. One successful member of parliament says she spends 93% of her salary on child care Another was divorced when her child was 2. The media highlights only the ones who don't succeed. Back to top |
What advice do you have to young women starting out?
Look out girls, you're going to be knocked back. Pick yourself up and get on with it. Determination is hugely important and you can win through. Don't let anybody put you down. No time for weeping. You need to attract the opportunity; seeing, recognising, and seizing the opportunity. Women should stick a toe in the water to see if its too hot, before committing to a parliamentary life. Back to top | |
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Finally: this is a quote from Baroness Boothroyd, some years ago when she was still in the chair.
Never more relevant today:
"If democracy were a traded commodity on the stock exchange, it would be showing losses right now and shareholders would be wondering whether to bail out. Sylvia Pankhurst never bailed out when the going got tough. She regarded democracy as women's heritage and right. Our forebears fought for it and we, as won, are still relatively new beneficiaries of it. That's why we are here, in Parliament and many other walks of life - still fighting, still overcoming obstacles, to our rightful place in the world."
Well done Sylvia Pankhurst!
She continues to inspire us. 2009©christina@wwom.org Back to top |
| Christina
Woman on a Mission
To inspire, delight and empower.
Motivational speaker, NLP Master Practitioner, Counsellor and Coach
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