Tributes have been pouring in to controversial public figure and former Conservative minister the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe , whose death was announced yesterday morning. She was 78.
Ann Widdecombe served as MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years. She was Home Office and Employment minister in Sir John Major's government between 1994 to 1997. In 1993 she converted from the Church of England to Catholicism, partly over the issue of women priests.
Widdecombe attempted to become Conservative leader in 2001 following William Hague's resignation, but failed to garner enough support among her colleagues. In 2009, she also attempted to become Speaker of the House of Commons, but lost out to fellow Tory John Bercow.
Widdecombe stood down as an MP at the 2010 general election, ending her Parliamentary career. However, she did not step away from the limelight.
Widdecombe again stood for Parliament in the 2019 general election. She came third to Labour and the Conservatives in the Plymouth Sutton and Devonport constituency, but retained her deposit when few expected her to do so. Later, she backed Reform UK in 2023. Most recently, she served as the party's justice and immigration adviser.
Away from politics, Widdecombe became a household name after competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, winning over many viewers despite consistently receiving low scores from the judges. She survived until week nine of the contest.
Other memorable TV spots include hosting panel show Have I Got News For You? twice and a special documentary with Louis Theroux in 2002.
A statement from Cloud9 Management, who represented her for more than a decade, said she would be missed “greatly”.
It read: “Her life and career were driven by her strong Christian values and commitment to public service. She loved the cut and thrust of political debate and, 16 years after leaving Parliament, was still actively campaigning for Reform UK and offering forthright views on the hot topics of the day across numerous radio and television programmes.
“Ann was a valued patron of many causes, particularly her animal charities. “As Ann once said on The Graham Norton Show, ‘we get one go this side of eternity, one go. Life is not a dress rehearsal, you take opportunities that you like and you go for it, that’s my philosophy’.”
Ann Widdecombe being murdered and that she suffered such a violent end to her life is truly horrific. Vile comments about her untimely death do not represent me as a human being, no matter how atrocious as a human being she actually was, there is absolutely nothing that justifies the slaughter of an elderly woman.
I don't condone her murder but I'm not either going to celebrate her life. I know it might not be appreciated to speak ill of the dead, but she really was quite appalling. Some might say hateful.
Just remember what her opinions were, homophobic, anti-abortion, supported conversion therapy, advocate for death penalty, climate change "sceptic", defended a policy of chaining pregnant prisoners to their beds .
Yes a charismatic individual who clinged on to her faith and beliefs but was a bigoted, racist, xenophobe and genocide endorser, who used her power to make minorities lives worse,while taking satisfaction in the suffering of others.
Here's a list of statements she made so we can understand who she was. "Homosexual acts are wrongful... disgusting." said science may "produce an answer" to Homosexuality "We remove restraints when treatment has commenced or, in the case of pregnant women, when labour is confirmed." On inflation "Well then you don't do the cheese sandwich."
She also said the Catholic church shouldn't fund food or medical care to the poor, it was right to deny contraception to people in Africa to prevent HIV/AIDS, dismissed the atrocities of the Spanish Inquisition, voted against equal rights every single time.
This was a women who from the moment she joined the Tories through to Reform fought to create a world of endless brutality and horror for the poor, marginalised and oppressed.
Politically a million miles away from me, am still nevertheless saddened by her death. Rest in peace Ann Widdecombe.
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