Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister who later joined the Brexit party and Reform UK, has died aged 78, according to her management.
Key facts
- Ann Widdecombe has died aged 78, her management said.
- She served as a Conservative MP and government minister, and later as an MEP.
- She was a member of the Brexit party and its successor, Reform UK.
- Nigel Farage described her as a 'force of nature' and Kemi Badenoch called her 'formidable'.
- She became a television personality in later life.
Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister and Reform UK member, has died aged 78, her management has said, according to the Guardian.
Widdecombe had a lengthy and often controversial political career, serving as an MP and as a government minister before later becoming a Member of the European Parliament. She was known as a prominent Eurosceptic and social conservative.
Beyond her time with the Conservatives, she was also a member of the Brexit party and its successor, Reform UK, reflecting her long-standing opposition to the European Union.
In later life, Widdecombe gained notoriety as a television personality, extending her public profile well beyond the world of Westminster politics.
Tributes came from across the political spectrum. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described her as a ‘force of nature’, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called her ‘formidable’, according to the Guardian.
The Guardian reported her death on 10 July 2026, citing a statement from her management.
Why it matters
Ann Widdecombe was a well-known figure in British public life for decades, both as a politician and as a television personality. Her career spanned the Conservative party, the Brexit party and Reform UK, making her a recognisable voice in the country's long debate over Europe.
Frequently asked questions
How old was Ann Widdecombe when she died?
Ann Widdecombe died aged 78, according to a statement from her management reported by the Guardian.
Which political parties was Ann Widdecombe a member of?
She was a Conservative MP and minister, later serving as an MEP, and was also a member of the Brexit party and its successor, Reform UK.
How did political figures react to her death?
Nigel Farage described her as a 'force of nature' and Kemi Badenoch called her 'formidable', according to the Guardian.