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Former Conservative cabinet minister and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe has died at the age of 78, according to a statement released by her representatives on Friday.
Her management team, Cloud 9 Management, announced the news with deep sadness, expressing condolences to her family, friends, and supporters. Widdecombe, a prominent figure in British politics and media for decades, leaves behind a legacy marked by public service, outspoken political views, and memorable television appearances.
Widdecombe served as the Member of Parliament for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years, becoming one of the Conservative Party's most recognizable politicians. During Sir John Major's government, she held ministerial roles at the Home Office and later in the Department for Employment between 1994 and 1997.
After leaving Parliament, Widdecombe remained active in public life and continued to influence British politics. A committed supporter of Brexit, she joined the Brexit Party and was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) in 2019. In recent years, she became a leading spokeswoman for Reform UK, continuing to campaign on issues she believed were important.
Her representatives described her career as being shaped by "strong Christian values" and an unwavering dedication to public service. They said she remained passionate about political debate and continued working on behalf of Reform UK long after her retirement from Westminster.
Outside politics, Widdecombe gained a new generation of admirers through television. She became a fan favorite on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, where her determination and entertaining performances carried her to the semi-finals despite consistently low scores from the judges. Her partnership with professional dancer Anton Du Beke became one of the show's most memorable pairings.
She also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018, finishing as runner-up and further cementing her popularity with television audiences.
Ann Widdecombe's career spanned politics, broadcasting, and public life, making her one of Britain's most distinctive public figures. Tributes are expected from political leaders across the spectrum as colleagues and supporters remember her decades of service and unwavering commitment to her beliefs.
