Key facts
- Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and Brexit Party MEP, has died at the age of 78.
- She represented Maidstone as an MP for 23 years and served as a minister under John Major.
- Widdecombe was a prominent Eurosceptic and a supporter of the Vote Leave campaign.
- She joined the Brexit Party in 2019 and served as an MEP until 2020.
- Her life was driven by strong Christian values and a commitment to public service.
Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and prominent Brexit supporter, has died at the age of 78. Her agents, Cloud 9 Management, announced her passing, stating that her life was guided by strong Christian values and a commitment to public service.
Widdecombe had a long political career, serving as the Member of Parliament for Maidstone for 23 years. She held positions as a Home Office and employment minister in John Major's government between 1994 and 1997. She was a staunch Eurosceptic and later served as a Brexit Party MEP for South West England from 2019 to 2020.
Following the rebranding of the Brexit Party to Reform UK, Widdecombe joined the party and served as its immigration and justice spokesperson. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, credited Widdecombe with playing a significant role in the Brexit campaign, noting her popularity with voters.
Beyond her political career, Widdecombe was also known for her television appearances, including reaching the semi-finals of "Strictly Come Dancing" in 2010 and being a runner-up on "Celebrity Big Brother" in 2018. Her representatives noted her love for political debate and her continued campaigning for Reform UK even after leaving Parliament.
Tributes have poured in from political figures, including Health Secretary James Murray and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who acknowledged her firm views and contributions to politics and public life. Widdecombe was known for her socially conservative stances throughout her parliamentary career.