The Corner Drawing Room

This room was originally the private dining room of the Speaker. Today it is a reception room and is furnished in a similar way to the Crimson Drawing Room. The maroon flock wallpaper displays a design by A W Pugin. Some of the small tables, with decorative inlay and gilding, were acquired a few years ago and show a more ornate style than that originally designed for the Speaker’s House.

The portraits of the most recent Speakers hang here. The earliest of these is that of Selwyn Lloyd who was Speaker from 1971 to 1976. It was painted by Michael Noakes, and shows the Speaker seated. Andrew Festing’s portrait of Betty Boothroyd (Speaker 1992 to 2000) shows the Speaker full-length, standing robed beside the State Bed. Speaker Martin (2000 to 2009) was also painted by Andrew Festing. Speaker Bercow’s portrait, painted by Brendan Kelly, hangs across from Speaker Martin’s portrait.