Tributes have poured in for former MP and MEP Ann Widdecombe, who has died at the age of 78, with one colleague calling her 'one of the most extraordinary politicians of the age' and highlighting the kindness and sense of fun of a woman known for her strong, no-nonsense opinions.
Miss Widdecombe's management shared news on Friday morning of her death, saying she was a 'delight to work with' and would be greatly missed. The statement highlighted her long political career, Christian values, commitment to public service, patronage of animal charities and, years after leaving Parliament, her campaigning for Reform UK.
Political career and TV fame
A Conservative MP for Maidstone from 1987 to 2010, she said what she believed, with her forthright views making her a popular choice for TV and radio shows in later years. She won the heart of the voting public during her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, where she reached the semi-finals with partner Anton Du Beke.
Among the tributes following her death was one from Reform UK colleague and MP Richard Tice, who called her a 'remarkable person' and said on GB News: 'I'm not sure they make them like that anymore. They really don't.' Another came from Jeremy Vine, who described how she had been 'so much a part of my life' during his career.
Jeremy Vine's tribute
In a lengthy video message shared ahead of his Channel 5 show, the journalist and presenter said: 'I honestly think she is just one of the most extraordinary politicians of the age.' He added: 'Where do we even start with Ann – just the energy of that woman, how principled she was.'
Vine noted that every day they had her on Channel 5, a viewer would say 'Ann, you should be Prime Minister.' He said she had no interest in any further political role, enjoying being at her home in Dartmoor, Devon, from where on occasions she did not come to the London studio she would appear via Zoom, and he would spot volumes of Hansard – the official report of all parliamentary debates – on the shelves behind her.
It showed her respect for the parliamentary process and conventional politics, he said, adding: 'But she was also extremely unconventional and unusual. You've just got to think of her on Strictly doing that amazing thing with Anton du Beke – just how funny she was. And she went on stage in panto.'
He said 'I know she had an austere on-screen manner' but 'she was very very kind'. He referenced how she was given the 'cruellest nickname' in the eighties of Doris Karloff and told him: 'I never minded that, I used to pick up the phone and say 'Karloff here'.'
Saying that Miss Widdecombe would be cross he had spoken so long, he ended his tribute with words to her: 'You were true, true to yourself and you were kind. Despite being old-fashioned you've created a new kind of politics, which is where we start listening more because we knew you were real.'
Brexit and Reform UK
Eurosceptic Miss Widdecombe supported the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 Brexit referendum, ahead of joining Reform UK in 2023 and making an appearance as immigration spokesperson. Following news of her death, Reform leader Nigel Farage said she had played 'a decisive role' in getting Brexit over the line.
Further tributes
Historian Sir Anthony Seddon said on Sky News that whether agreeing with her views or not, she was an 'admirable politician' and he called her a 'brave, unusual person of strong views'. And a tribute from broadcaster Piers Morgan on X called her: 'A wonderfully no-nonsense, straight-talking, highly-opinionated British battle-axe.' He added: 'Ann was always a very feisty, combative interviewee, but always great fun too. Amid so many dreary politicians, she was a charismatic, combative gem.'
