Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative MP and later Reform UK spokesperson, has died at the age of 78. Her death was confirmed by her spokesperson on Friday morning.
Political Career
Widdecombe was first elected to Parliament under Margaret Thatcher's 1987 election victory, representing Maidstone until 2010. She rose through the ranks under John Major, serving as prisons minister until the Conservatives lost to Tony Blair's New Labour in 1997. After failing to become Conservative leader in 2001, she remained in the public eye with television appearances, including a Louis Theroux special in 2002 and a memorable run on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, where she partnered with Anton Du Beke for nine weeks.
Later Political Involvement
After stepping down as an MP in 2010, Widdecombe campaigned for Vote Leave in the 2016 Brexit referendum and later left the Conservative Party. She joined the Brexit Party in 2019, winning a seat in the European Parliament for south-west England. She stood in the 2019 general election but came third in Plymouth Sutton and Devonport. In 2023, she joined Reform UK, serving as its Immigration and Justice spokesperson until earlier this year.
Legacy
Widdecombe was known for her strong Eurosceptic views and her distinctive presence on both the political and entertainment stages. Her death marks the end of a prominent career in British politics and media.
