Ann Widdecombe has died aged 78 (Image: Getty)
Ann Widdecombe, the former MP, MEP and champion of Brexit, has died aged 78, her representatives have said.
Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years, representing the constituency from 1987 until 2010.
A statement from her management said: “It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.
“We send our deepest condolences to Ann’s family and friends. We ask that the family’s wish not to be contacted at this sad time is respected.”
She was appointed prisons minister under Prime Minister John Major, serving in the role from 1995 to 1997.
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.
A Daily Express columnist for 20 years until 2025, she championed Brexit at the 2016 referendum to help convince Britain to leave the EU. After leaving the Conservative Party in 2019, to join the Brexit Party.
Widdecombe was among the UK’s last MEPs, serving from May 2019 until the UK left in early 2020 (Image: Getty)
She was succesfully elected to the European Parliament in 2019 for the Brexit Party, using her maiden Strasbourg speech to tell Europe: “Nous allons, wir gehen, we’re off!”
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.
Tributes began pouring in to Widdecombe on Friday (July 10), led by Reform UK Nigel Farage. He told the Express: “Ann Widdecombe was a political colossus whose forthright honesty is all too rare in today’s politics.
“When Ann decided to stand for The Brexit Party in the snap 2019 European Elections, it was a big moment and huge boost. The voters loved her. She played a decisive role in getting Brexit over the line.
“Ann will be missed.”
Cloud9 Management, who represented her for more than a decade, added 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’.
“For many, of course, she will be best (or worst?) remembered for her unforgettable appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, defying the judges week after week as the public delighted in her unsuccessful attempts to follow the choreography of the long suffering Anton Du Beke.
“A consummate professional and a delight to work with, indefatigable to the last, we know this news will come as a great shock to the many colleagues and friends she made along the way and our sympathies go to them and her family.”
Widdecombe defected to the Brexit Party in 2019, pictured is her unveiling with Nigel Farage (Image: Getty)
Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice revealed he ‘spoke to her at length on Monday’.
He continued: “Utterly devastating. She was a true legend. She was a fantastic person to work with.
“Whether you loved her views or not, she had a clear view, and she argued it. She was an incredible orator, she had the audience absolutely spellbound. She was utterly fearless.
“I’m not sure they make them like that any more. We will miss her terribly.”
He recalled to broadcasters: “She was a dancer extraordinaire on [Strictly] Come Dancing. Bruce Forsyth I think was genuinely concerned she might usurp him!
“She was on multiple pantos, she was adored by the nation. Whether you liked her politics or not, what people loved was her conviction.”
Sir John Redwood, a Conservativ colleague with Widdecombe who only left Parliament in 2024, shared his thoughts: “We’ve lost one of the great outspoken voices from the conservative side of the spectrum.
“Many people will remember the home truth Ann Widdecombe delivered on Brexit and other issues.”
Reform’s Mayor for Greater Lincolnshire, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, said: “Rest in peace, Ann Widdecombe. A true political titan who served her country as an MP, Minister, and MEP with unwavering devotion to her principles.
“She was a giant of public life, completely unapologetic in her views, and a one-of-a-kind character who left an indelible mark on Westminster and beyond. She will be greatly missed.”
Durham County Council deputy leader Darren Grimes added: “Ann Widdecombe is gone, and Britain is smaller for it this morning.
“She went into politics to serve, not to be served, and working people trusted her because she never talked down to them. She was one of us. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.”
Reform’s Staffordshire County Council leader, Martin Murray, added: “I had the pleasure of meeting Ann on several occasions over the years, in various roles. A true powerhouse and honourable lady who stood for what she believed.”