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Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister who later became a spokeswoman for Reform UK, has passed away at the age of 78. Her agents, Cloud 9 Management, announced her death with deep sorrow, extending their condolences to her family and friends. Widdecombe’s long political journey included 23 years as the Member of Parliament for Maidstone in Kent before she moved on to work with Reform UK.
Throughout her career, Widdecombe held significant roles, including serving as a Home Office minister and an employment minister during John Major’s government from 1994 to 1997. She was also a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK’s exit from the European Union, representing the Brexit Party as a Member of the European Parliament for South West England between 2019 and 2020. Her involvement continued in 2023 when she joined Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, taking on the role of immigration and justice spokesperson and actively campaigning for the party.
Nigel Farage paid tribute to Widdecombe following her death, acknowledging her “decisive role” in securing Brexit’s success. He recalled that her entrance into the Brexit Party in the 2019 European Elections was a pivotal moment that energized voters. “The voters loved her,” Farage stated on social media, adding that she would be “missed by us all.” Widdecombe’s career was noted for being guided by her Christian values and dedication to public service, according to a statement from her agents. They also highlighted her passion for political debate and mentioned her popularity from appearances on television shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, where she reached the semi-finals in 2010.
Colleagues reflected on Widdecombe’s legacy, with health secretary James Murray describing her as someone unafraid to share her strong opinions. Murray remarked that although he did not always agree with her views, Widdecombe was an integral part of the political landscape. Known for her firm socially conservative stances, often rooted in her Catholic faith, she was a controversial figure on topics such as abortion and LGBT rights. In 2019, she faced criticism after suggesting that science might eventually “produce an answer” to being gay. Despite the polarizing nature of some of her opinions, her impact on public life was widely recognized
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