Outspoken politicians ‘now a dying breed’

‘Lord King belittled women in politics and had a damned nerve. I say what I think and I think what I say’

SHE is a straight-talking peer famed for giving a two-finger salute in the House of Lords.

But in her 95th year, Baroness Trumpington believes she is a survivor from a dying breed of politicians, with today’s public figures rarely saying anything “meaningful” for fear of public opprobrium.

Appearing on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 as a guest editor, the wartime code-breaker said the willingness to speak her mind had always set her apart from the crowd.

Discussing her run-in with fellow peer, Lord King of Bridgwater, in 2011, the Baroness said the decision to signal the “V-sign” after he made remarks about her age came “naturally”.

“He belittled women in politics,” she told presenter John Humphrys. “He had a damned nerve. I say what I think and I think what I say. There’s no two ways about it, it’s just pure and simple talking naturally.”

However, Baroness Trumpington said that the altercation had not led to any ill feeling between the pair, who later “became great friends”.

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