Editing Ann Widdecombe

{{short description|British politician and media personality (born 1947)}}
{{use British English|date=October 2019}}
{{use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[The Right Honourable]]
| name                = Ann Widdecombe
| honorific-suffix    = {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|DSG}}
| image               = Annewidde.jpg
| caption             = Widdecombe in 2009
| office              = [[Minister of State for Prisons]]
| primeminister       = [[John Major]]
| term_start          = 28 February 1995
| term_end            = 2 May 1997
| predecessor         = [[Michael Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of Drumlean|Michael Forsyth]]
| successor           = [[Joyce Quin]]
| office1             = [[Minister of State for Employment]]{{efn|Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (1993–94)}}
| primeminister1      = John Major
| term_start1         = 27 May 1993
| term_end1           = 5 July 1995
| predecessor1        = [[Patrick McLoughlin]]
| successor1          = [[Oliver Eden, 8th Baron Henley|Lord Henley]]
| office2             = [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security]]
| primeminister2      = John Major
| term_start2         = 30 November 1990
| term_end2           = 27 May 1993
| predecessor2        = [[Gillian Shephard]]
| successor2          = [[William Hague]]
| office3             = [[Member of the European Parliament]]<br />for [[South West England (European Parliament constituency)|South West England]]
| term_start3         = 2 July 2019
| term_end3           = 31 January 2020
| predecessor3        = [[Julia Reid]]
| successor3          = ''Constituency abolished''
| office4             = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Maidstone and The Weald]]<br />{{nobold|[[Maidstone (UK Parliament constituency)|Maidstone]] (1987–1997)}}
| term_start4         = 11 June 1987
| term_end4           = 12 April 2010
| predecessor4        = [[John Wells (British politician, born 1925)|John Wells]]
| successor4          = [[Helen Grant (politician)|Helen Grant]]
| office5             = [[Shadow Cabinet]] offices
| suboffice5          = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Health]]
| subterm5            = 1998–1999
| suboffice6          = [[Shadow Home Secretary]]
| subterm6            = 1999–2001
| birth_name          = Ann Noreen Widdecombe
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1947|10|4|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Bath, Somerset]], England
| residence           = [[London]], England<br />[[Sutton Valence|Sutton Valence, Kent]], England<br />[[Haytor Vale]], [[Dartmoor|Dartmoor, Devon]], England
| party               = [[Reform UK]] (2023–present)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Langford |first1=Eleanor |title=Nigel Farage insists 'Brexit is not completely done' as Reform UK calls on Tory MPs to defect |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/reform-uk-tory-mps-defect-nigel-farage-brexit-not-done-2221151 |access-date=20 March 2023 |work=inews.co.uk |date=20 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
| otherparty          = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (1976–2019)<br>[[Brexit Party]] (2019–2021)<br>[[Independent politician|Independent]] (2021–2023)
| alma_mater          = [[University of Birmingham]]<br />[[Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford]]
}}
'''Ann Noreen Widdecombe''' {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|DSG}} (born 4 October 1947) is a British politician and television personality who has been [[Reform UK]]'s Immigration and Justice spokesperson since 2023.<ref name="spokespeople">{{cite web|url=https://www.reformparty.uk/departmental_responsibilities_of_reform_uk_spokespeople|title=Reform UK Departmental Team Responsibilities|website=Reform UK|date=March 2023|accessdate=15 June 2024}}</ref>{{Dead link|date=May 2025}}<ref>https://www.themoorlander.co.uk/news/home/1752596/ann-widdecombes-life-of-quiet-and-conviction.html</ref> Originally a member of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], she was [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Maidstone and The Weald]], and the former [[Maidstone (UK Parliament constituency)|Maidstone]] constituency, from 1987 to 2010. She was a member of the Brexit Party from 2019 until it was renamed Reform UK in 2021, and served as [[Member of the European Parliament]] (MEP) for [[South West England (European Parliament constituency)|South West England]] from 2019 to 2020;<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSH8U3bftwY | title=Ann Widdecombe demands Tories 'end cancel culture' in the lead-up to the leadership election | website=[[YouTube]] | date=14 August 2022 }}</ref> she rejoined Reform UK in 2023.

Born in [[Bath, Somerset]], Widdecombe read [[Latin]] at the [[University of Birmingham]] and later studied [[philosophy, politics and economics]] at [[Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford]]. She is a religious convert from [[Anglicanism]] to [[Catholic Church in England and Wales|Roman Catholicism]], and was a member of the [[Conservative Christian Fellowship]]. She served as [[Minister of State for Employment]] from 1994 to 1995 and [[Minister of State for Prisons]] from 1995 to 1997. She later served in the [[Shadow Cabinet of William Hague]] as [[Shadow Secretary of State for Health]] from 1998 to 1999 and [[Shadow Home Secretary]] from 1999 to 2001. She was appointed to the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]] in 1997.

Widdecombe stood down from the House of Commons at the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]]. Since 2002, she has made numerous television and radio appearances, including as a television presenter. A prominent [[Euroscepticism in the United Kingdom|Eurosceptic]], in 2016 she supported the [[Vote Leave]] campaign to [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|withdraw the United Kingdom]] from the [[European Union]] (EU). Widdecombe returned to politics as the lead candidate for the Brexit Party in [[South West England (European Parliament constituency)|South West England]] at the [[2019 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2019 European Parliament election]], winning the seat in line with results nationally, serving until the country left the EU on 31 January 2020. In the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|general election of December 2019]] &ndash; as with all other candidates for the Commons fielded by the Brexit Party &ndash; she did not win the seat she contested ([[Plymouth Sutton and Devonport]]), but retained her [[deposit (politics)|deposit]] and came third.

Ideologically, Widdecombe identifies herself as a [[social conservative]] and stresses the importance of traditional values and conservatism. As a member of the [[House of Commons]], she opposed the legality of [[abortion]], opposed granting [[LGBT]] people legal rights such as the same [[age of consent]] as heterosexuals, and opposed the repeal of [[Section 28]]. She supported reintroduction of the [[death penalty]] for murder, though more narrowly applied than previously. She is opposed to all forms of [[Euthanasia in the United Kingdom|assisted dying]]. She has a history of supporting rigorous laws on animal protection and opposition to [[fox hunting]].

==Early life==
Ann Noreen Widdecombe was born in [[Bath, Somerset]], the daughter of Rita Noreen (''née'' Plummer; 1911–2007) and [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] civil servant James Murray Widdecombe. Widdecombe's maternal grandfather, James Henry Plummer, was born to a [[Catholic]] family of English descent in [[Crosshaven]], [[County Cork]], Ireland in 1874.

She attended the Royal Naval School in [[Singapore]],<ref name="BBCRet">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7032992.stm Ann Widdecombe set to stand down]; [[BBC News]], 7 October 2007</ref> and La Sainte Union [[Convent]] School in Bath.<ref name=AboutAnn>{{cite web|url=http://www.annwiddecombe.com/text.aspx?id=52|title=About Ann|publisher=annwiddecombe.com|access-date=8 October 2009|archive-date=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324103448/http://www.annwiddecombe.com/text.aspx?id=52|url-status=dead}}</ref> She then read [[Latin]] at the [[University of Birmingham]] and later attended [[Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford]], to read [[philosophy, politics and economics]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=LMH, Oxford – Prominent Alumni|url=https://www.lmh.ox.ac.uk/Alumni/Prominent-alumni.aspx|access-date=20 May 2015}}</ref> In 1971, she was the secretary of the [[Oxford Union]] for one term, and became its treasurer for one term in 1972.<ref name="Roth2"/> 

While studying at Oxford, she lived next door to [[Mary Archer]], [[Edwina Currie]], and [[Gyles Brandreth]]'s wife Michèle Brown.<ref>{{cite news|title=Have I Got News For You, Series 25 Episode 6 with Hugh Dennis, Gyles Brandreth & Martin Freeman}}</ref> She worked for [[Unilever]] (1973–75) and then as an administrator at the [[University of London]] (1975–87) before entering Parliament.<ref name=AboutAnn />

==Political career==
In 1974, Widdecombe was personal assistant to [[Michael Ancram]] in the [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|February]] and [[October 1974 United Kingdom general election|October]] general elections of that year.<ref name="Roth2"/> From 1976 to 1978, Widdecombe was a [[councillor]] on [[Runnymede (borough)|Runnymede District]] Council in Surrey.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/nov/03/uk.conservatives|title=Seeing something of the light at the end of the tunnel|date=3 November 2003|work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=6 December 2008  | first=Jackie | last=Ashley}}</ref>

She contested the seat of [[Burnley (UK Parliament constituency)|Burnley]] in Lancashire in the [[1979 United Kingdom general election|1979 general election]] and then, against [[David Owen]], the [[Plymouth Devonport]] seat in the [[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983 general election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge79/i04.htm|title=UK General Election results May 1979|date=3 May 1979|work=Political Science Resources|publisher=Richard Kimber|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925040210/http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge79/i04.htm|archive-date=25 September 2006|access-date=16 November 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge83/i16.htm|title=UK General Election results June 1983|date=9 June 1983|work=Political Science Resources|publisher=Richard Kimber|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320065802/http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge83/i16.htm|archive-date=20 March 2008|access-date=16 November 2008}}</ref> In 1983 she, with [[Lady Olga Maitland]] and [[Virginia Bottomley]], co-founded [[Women and Families for Defence]], a group founded in opposition to the anti-nuclear [[Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Lorna |title=The battle of Greenham Common is over. But their spirit still burns |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/aug/20/lornamartin.theobserver |work=The Guardian |date=19 August 2006}}</ref>

Widdecombe was first elected to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]], for the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]], in the [[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987 general election]] as member for the constituency of [[Maidstone (UK Parliament constituency)|Maidstone]] (which became [[Maidstone and The Weald]] in 1997).<ref>[http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/maidstoneandtheweald Maidstone and The Weald] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527023141/http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/maidstoneandtheweald/ |date=27 May 2022 }}, UKPollingReport</ref>

===In government===
[[File:Ann Widdecombe as a Minister of State.jpg|thumb|Official Portrait {{Circa|1995–1997}}]]
Widdecombe joined Prime Minister [[John Major]]'s government as [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State]] for Social Security in 1990. In 1993, she was moved to the [[Department of Employment]], and she was promoted to [[Minister of State]] the following year. In 1995, she joined the [[Home Office]] as Minister of State for Prisons and visited every prison in the UK.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/talking_politics/104160.stm|title=Ann Widdecombe&nbsp;– political sketch |work=BBC Online |access-date=17 June 2009 |date=2 June 1998 |location=London}}</ref>

In 1996, Widdecombe, as prisons minister, defended the Government's policy to [[Use of restraints on pregnant women|shackle pregnant prisoners]] with handcuffs and chains when in hospital receiving prenatal care. Widdecombe told the Commons that the restrictions were needed to prevent prisoners from escaping the hospital. "Some MPs may like to think that a pregnant woman would not or could not escape. Unfortunately this is not true. The fact is that hospitals are not secure places in which to keep prisoners, and since 1990, 20 women have escaped from hospitals". [[Jack Straw]], Labour's Home Affairs spokesman at the time, said it was "degrading and unnecessary" for a woman to be shackled at any stage.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/chaining-women-backed-1323238.html|title=Chaining women backed|date=10 January 1996|work=The Independent|access-date=20 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012143641/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/chaining-women-backed-1323238.html|archive-date=12 October 2010 |url-status=live|location=London}}</ref><ref name="Hague's head girl">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2000/mar/18/fiction1|title=Hague's head girl|date=18 March 2000|work=The Guardian|access-date=20 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916011112/http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2000/mar/18/fiction1|archive-date=16 September 2010 |url-status=live|location=London}}</ref>

===Shadow Cabinet===
In May 1997, in the context of an inquiry into a series of prison escapes, Widdecombe remarked of former Home Secretary [[Michael Howard]], under whom she had served, that there was "something of the night about him".<ref>{{cite news|title=Widdecombe goes for the jugular|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/widdecombe-goes-for-the-jugular-1261224.html?amp|last1=Sengupta|first1=Kim|date=12 May 1997|work=The Independent|last2=Abrams|first2=Fran|access-date=3 April 2017}}</ref>
This much-quoted comment is thought to have contributed to the failure of Howard's 1997 campaign for the [[1997 Conservative Party leadership election|Conservative Party leadership]], a sentiment shared by both Howard himself and Widdecombe. It led to him being caricatured as a [[vampire]], in part due to his Romanian ancestry.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8435904.stm|title=Ann Widdecombe 'tested out' Howard quip|work=BBC News|date=31 December 2009|access-date=3 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Crick|first=Michael|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/mission-accomplished-how-howard-was-knifed-757lktbmgdt|title='Mission accomplished': how Howard was knifed|work=The Times|date=30 March 2005|access-date=3 April 2017}} {{subscription required}} Extract from Crick's book ''In search of Michael Howard''.</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Holland|first1=David|title=Interview with a Vampire|url=https://thetab.com/uk/cambridge/2011/05/03/interview-with-a-vampire-2630|work=The Tab|date=3 May 2011}}</ref>  Howard became the official party leader in 2003, and Widdecombe then stated, "I explained fully what my objections were in 1997 and I do not retract anything I said then. But ... we have to look to the future and not the past."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/ann-widdecombe-fury-mep-says-16242224|title=Ann Widdecombe: Fury as MEP says 'science may produce an answer' to being gay|date=2 June 2019|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=2 June 2019|location=UK}}</ref>

After the Conservative landslide defeat at the [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997 general election]], she served as [[Shadow Health Secretary]] between 1998 and 1999 and later as [[Shadow Home Secretary]] from 1999 to 2001 under the leadership of [[William Hague]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/person/5516/ann-widdecombe|title=Ann Widdecombe: Electoral history and profile|work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=22 August 2009 }}</ref>

===Leadership contest and backbenches===
During the [[2001 Conservative leadership election]], she could not find sufficient support amongst Conservative MPs for her leadership candidacy. She first supported [[Michael Ancram]], who was eliminated in the first round, and then [[Kenneth Clarke]], who lost in the final round. She afterwards declined to serve in [[Shadow Cabinet of Iain Duncan Smith|Iain Duncan Smith's Shadow Cabinet]] (although she indicated on the television programme ''[[When Louis Met...]]'', prior to the leadership contest, that she wished to retire to the [[backbenches]] anyway).

In 2001, when [[Michael Portillo]] was running for leader of the Conservative Party, Widdecombe described him and his allies as "[[wikt:backbiter|backbiters]]" due to his alleged destabilising influence under Hague.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk" /><ref name="Heppell2007">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4G0AAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA143|title=Choosing the Tory Leader: Conservative Party Leadership Elections from Heath to Cameron|author=Timothy Heppell|date=28 November 2007|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=978-0-85771-134-2|page=143}}</ref> She went on to say that, should he be appointed leader, she would never give him her allegiance.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk" /> This was amidst a [[homophobic]] campaign led by socially conservative critics of Portillo.<ref name="Heppell2007" />

In the [[2005 Conservative Party (UK) leadership election|2005 leadership election]], she initially supported Kenneth Clarke again. Once he was eliminated, she turned support towards [[Liam Fox]]. Following Fox's subsequent elimination, she took time to reflect before finally declaring for [[David Davis (British politician)|David Davis]]. She expressed reservations over the eventual winner [[David Cameron]], feeling that he did not, like the other candidates, have a proven track record, and she was later a leading figure in parliamentary opposition to his A-List policy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/10899823/Ann-Widdecombe-Id-rather-form-my-own-party-than-join-Ukip.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/10899823/Ann-Widdecombe-Id-rather-form-my-own-party-than-join-Ukip.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Ann Widdecombe: 'I'd rather form my own party than join Ukip' |last=Llewellyn Smith |first=Julia |date=15 June 2014 |website=The Telegraph |access-date=September 8, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> At the October 2006 Conservative Conference, she was Chief Dragon in a political version of the television programme ''[[Dragons' Den]]'', in which A-list candidates were invited to put forward a policy proposal, which was then torn apart by her team of [[Rachel Elnaugh]], [[Oliver Letwin]] and [[Michael Brown (British politician)|Michael Brown]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dale|first1=Iain|title=Taking the media beast to the dragon's den|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2006/oct/03/whenyouvegotnothingtowrit|access-date=17 February 2018|work=The Guardian|date=3 October 2006}}</ref>

In an interview with ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]'' in September 2006 she stated that if Parliament were of a normal length, it was likely she would retire at the next general election.<ref>{{cite news |author=Andrew Williams |title=60 Seconds: Ann Widdecombe |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/interviews/article.html?in_article_id=19578&in_page_id=11 |work=Metro |date=11 September 2006 |access-date=6 September 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070926225229/http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/interviews/article.html?in_article_id=19578&in_page_id=11| archive-date= 26 September 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> She confirmed her intention to stand down to ''[[The Observer]]'''s Pendennis diary in September 2007,<ref name="Pendennis">{{cite news |last=Marre |first=Oliver |title=Widdy knows the way to a man's heart |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/7days/story/0,,2160786,00.html |work=The Observer |location=London |date=2 September 2007 |access-date=7 October 2007 }}</ref> and again in October 2007 after Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]] quashed speculation of an autumn 2007 general election.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7032992.stm |work=BBC News  |title=Ann Widdecombe set to stand down | date=8 October 2007 |access-date=25 April 2010}}</ref>

In November 2006, she moved into the house of an [[Islington]] Labour Councillor to experience life on a [[council estate]], her response to her experience being "Five years ago I made a speech in the House of Commons about the forgotten decents. I have spent the last week on estates in the Islington area finding out that they are still forgotten."<ref>{{cite web | title=Anne gets taste of council estate life | date=22 November 2006 | access-date=28 November 2006 | work=Islington Gazette |url=http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/content/islington/gazette/news/story.aspx?brand=ISLGOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsislg&itemid=WeED22%20Nov%202006%2013%3A00%3A30%3A717}}</ref>

In 2007 Widdecombe was one of the 98 MPs who voted to keep their expense details secret.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article1816072.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508020947/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article1816072.ece|archive-date=8 May 2009|work=The Times |location=London |title=How your MP voted on the FOI Bill |date=20 May 2007|first1=Philippe |last1=Naughton |first2=Miles |last2=Costello}}</ref> When the expenses claims [[United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal|were leaked]], however, Widdecombe was described by ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' as one of the "saints" amongst all MPs.<ref name="TGEx">{{cite news |title = MPs' expenses: The saints (Part i) |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5342811/MPs-expenses-The-saints-Part-i.html?image=5|date=18 May 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090521124714/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5342811/MPs-expenses-The-saints-Part-i.html?image=5| archive-date= 21 May 2009 | url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2009, following the resignation of [[Michael Martin, Baron Martin of Springburn|Michael Martin]] as [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the House of Commons]], it was reported that Widdecombe was gathering support for election as interim Speaker until the next general election.<ref>{{cite news |title=Speaker: Runners and riders|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8057450.stm |work=BBC |date=21 May 2009 |access-date=21 May 2009 |location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090521094143/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8057450.stm| archive-date= 21 May 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> On 11 June 2009, she confirmed her bid to be the Speaker,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8094377.stm |work=BBC News  | title=Ann Widdecombe seeks Speaker role | date=11 June 2009 | access-date=25 April 2010}}</ref> but came last in the second ballot and was eliminated.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8111887.stm |title=Two left in Commons Speaker race |access-date=22 June 2009 |date=22 June 2009 |publisher=BBC online |location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090622191726/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8111887.stm| archive-date= 22 June 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

Widdecombe retired from politics at the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]]. It was rumoured that she would be a Conservative candidate for [[Police and Crime Commissioner]] in 2012, but she refused. She since spoke about her opposition to the Coalition Government and her surprise at not being given a peerage by [[David Cameron]].<ref name="chorley">{{cite news|url=http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/04/15/ann-widdecombe-on-hating-the-coalition-doing-big-brother-and-her-rude-autobiography/ |title=Ann Widdecombe on hating the coalition, doing Big Brother and her rude autobiography |work=independent.co.uk |location=London |first=Matt |last=Chorley |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622114535/http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/04/15/ann-widdecombe-on-hating-the-coalition-doing-big-brother-and-her-rude-autobiography/ |archive-date=22 June 2012 }}</ref>

In 2016, she supported [[Brexit]] during the [[2016 EU referendum]] and, following the resignation of [[David Cameron]], endorsed [[Andrea Leadsom]] in her candidacy for [[2016 Conservative Party (UK) leadership election|election for the leadership of the governing Conservative Party]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/comment/columnists/ann-widdecombe/652956/Why-I-back-Brexit-Ann-Widdecombe|title=Here's why I back Brexit – says ANN WIDDECOMBE|first=Ann|last=Widdecombe|date=16 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/comment/columnists/ann-widdecombe/686700/Andrea-Leadsom-picked-Tory-prime-minister-MPs-Brexit|title=Tories NEED to pick Angela Leadsom as leader: ANN WIDDECOMBE calls for LEAVE-backing PM|first=Ann|last=Widdecombe|date=6 July 2016}}</ref>

===Return to politics – Brexit Party===
In 2019 she returned to politics as a candidate for the [[Brexit Party]] in the [[2019 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|European parliament elections]] in [[South West England (European Parliament constituency)|South West England]], which were held on 23 May, though she maintained that she would still vote for the Conservatives in the local elections that took place three weeks before.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|date=24 April 2019|title=Ann Widdecombe to stand for Brexit Party|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48034732|access-date=24 April 2019|work=BBC News}}</ref> She was expelled by the Conservative Party immediately after her announcement.<ref name="expelled">{{cite news |url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1118490/Brexit-news-UK-Brexit-Party-Ann-Widdecombe-Conservative-Party-Farage-European-elections |title=Ann Widdecombe reveals she has been EXPELLED from Tories after defection to Brexit Party |work=Express online |date=24 April 2019 |access-date=14 May 2019}}</ref> Widdecombe had considered joining the Brexit Party in March 2019, but joined later, in May.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDF9o0aBtRE| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211122/bDF9o0aBtRE| archive-date=2021-11-22 | url-status=live|title=Iain Dale Interviews: Ann Widdecombe| date=21 November 2019|via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Widdecombe said that her decision to stand resulted from the Government's failure to deliver Britain's departure from the EU on schedule. "Both major parties need a seismic shock," she said, "to see the extent of public disgust."<ref name="expelled" /><ref name="BBC" /> She subsequently won her seat.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brexit Party's Ann Widdecombe wins South West seat |work=BBC News |date=27 May 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-48417344 |access-date=14 June 2019}}</ref>

Widdecombe became a member of the [[European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs]] (LIBE).<ref>{{Cite web|title=EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - PARLEMENT EUROPEEN - Conference of Presidents - C01 AFET|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sed/doc/news/flash/22641/List%20of%20committees_for%20CoP_rev3_en.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704204137/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/sed/doc/news/flash/22641/List%20of%20committees_for%20CoP_rev3_en.pdf|archive-date=4 July 2019|website=[[European Parliament]]}}</ref>

Widdecombe stood as a candidate for [[Plymouth Sutton and Devonport]] in the [[2019 UK general election]], coming a distant third but just retaining her deposit with 5.5% of the vote. [[Nigel Farage]] said that she was told by the Conservative Party that she would be part of their Brexit negotiations if she stood down as a candidate.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/14/nigel-farage-says-he-is-unlikely-to-vote-for-any-party-in-election|title=Ann Widdecombe 'was offered Brexit talks role to stand down as Farage candidate'|work=The Guardian|date=14 November 2019 |access-date=22 November 2019}}</ref>

==Political views==
===Social issues===
As an MP, Widdecombe expressed socially conservative views, including opposition to abortion; it was understood during her time in frontline politics that she would not become [[Secretary of State for Health|Health Secretary]] as long as this involved responsibility for abortions. Although a committed Christian, she characterised the issue as one of life and death on which her view had been the same when she was agnostic<ref name="BBC-1999">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/280692.stm|title=Ann Widdecombe answers your questions|date=16 February 1999|work=BBC News|access-date=30 April 2010}}</ref> and was a member of the [[Society for the Protection of Unborn Children]]<!-- source says "society for the protection of the unborn child", but most likely refers to SPUC --> while studying at Oxford.<ref name="Roth">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/mar/20/profiles.parliament16|title=Ann Widdecombe|last1=Roth|first1=Andrew|date=20 March 2001|work=The Guardian|access-date=31 August 2018}}</ref> During Parliament, Widdecombe was a member of the Pro-Life All Party Parliamentary Group, which met with SPUC over concerns the organisation's more strident approach to abortion policy could alienate Protestant and atheist supporters.<ref>{{cite news |title=BBC News {{!}} UK Politics {{!}} MPs enter pro-life group row |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/398033.stm |work=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
She converted from the [[Church of England]] (CoE) to the Roman Catholic Church following the CoE decision  [[Ordination of women in the Anglican Communion|to ordain women as priests]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/112152.stm|title=Widdecombe rejects abortion role|date=13 June 1998|work=BBC News|access-date=25 April 2010}}</ref>

She is an opponent of [[Euthanasia in the United Kingdom|assisted dying]] in any form, saying that any such legislation would fail to "protect the mentally ill, disabled and the frail elderly". She further commented: "You cannot get to my age without having seen loved ones suffer [...] or having seen dear friends die in pain. And, yes, I too have thought 'We wouldn't do this to an animal'. But that emotional indignation has also to be extended to those whom any euthanasia law would threaten."<ref>{{cite news|date=30 January 2024|title=Widdecombe: 'Rantzen's campaign for assisted suicide must not prevail'|newspaper=The Christian Institute|url=https://www.christian.org.uk/news/widdecombe-rantzens-campaign-for-assisted-suicide-must-not-prevail/|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref>

==== LGBT rights ====
Although not an MP at the time, Widdecombe did voice support for the [[Sexual Offences Act 1967|partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967]] in England and Wales.<ref name="BBC-1999" /> After that, Widdecombe consistently opposed further reforms while in Parliament. Out of the 17 parliamentary votes between 1998 and 2008 considered by the [[Public Whip]] website to concern equal rights for homosexuals, Widdecombe took the opposing position in 15 cases, not being present at the other two votes.<ref>[http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?mpid=1701&dmp=826 "Ann Widdecombe compared to 'Homosexuality&nbsp;– Equal rights'"], [[Public Whip]]. Retrieved on 24 June 2009.</ref> In 1999, Widdecombe stated that "I do not think that [homosexuality] can be promoted as an equally valid lifestyle to [heterosexual] marriage, but I would say the same about irregular heterosexual arrangements."<ref name="BBC-1999" />

She has consistently argued against an equal [[age of consent]] for same-sex relationships, voting against a [[Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994|1994 act]] (which would have [[Age-of-consent reform in the United Kingdom|reduced the age of consent]] for some male-male sexual activity from 21 to 18), and in 1998 (arguing against a further reduction from 18 to 16, which later occurred [[Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000|in 2000]]).<ref name="Roth2">{{cite journal|last1=Roth|first1=Andrew|title=Ann (Noreen) WIDDECOMBE|url=http://internetserver.bishopsgate.org.uk/files/Parliamentary%20Profiles%20Archive/S-Z/WIDDECOMBE,%20Anne/WIDDECOMBE,%20Anne.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://internetserver.bishopsgate.org.uk/files/Parliamentary%20Profiles%20Archive/S-Z/WIDDECOMBE,%20Anne/WIDDECOMBE,%20Anne.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|journal=Parliamentary Profile Services Ltd|page=4|access-date=7 September 2018|author-link1=Andrew Roth}}</ref> On the latter act, she wrote in ''[[The Mail on Sunday]]'' that "one of the sundry horrors for which this Government is likely to be remembered will be that it gave its [[wikt:imprimatur|imprimatur]] to sodomy at 16",<ref>{{cite news |last1=Abrams |first1=Fran |title=Tory hits out at gays and lone parents |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/tory-hits-out-at-gays-and-lone-parents-1163616.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/tory-hits-out-at-gays-and-lone-parents-1163616.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=19 October 2020 |work=The Independent |date=8 June 1998}}{{cbignore}}</ref> She later said in 2000: "I do not believe that issues of equality should override the imperatives of protecting the young."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2000/feb/11/uk.politicalnews1|title=Commons approves bill to lower gay age of consent|date=11 February 2000|work=The Guardian|access-date=2 June 2015|location=London}}</ref> In 2003, Widdecombe opposed the repeal of [[Section 28]] of the [[Local Government Act 1988]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Watt |first1=Nicholas |title=Tory split in vote to scrap section 28 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/mar/11/conservatives.uk |work=The Guardian |date=11 March 2003}}</ref> In 2012, Widdecombe voiced support in the ''[[Daily Express]]'' for the practise of [[conversion therapy]], which claims to change the orientation of homosexuals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/02/02/anne-widdecome-defends-gay-conversion-therapy_n_1249697.html|title=Ann Widdecombe Defends Gay Conversion Therapy|last1=Simons|first1=Ned|date=2 February 2012|website=The Huffington Post|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref>

Widdecombe has also expressed her opposition to [[Same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom|same-sex marriage]], introduced by David Cameron's government in 2014, arguing that "the state must have a preferred model" which is "a union that is generally open to procreation".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/jun/06/ann-widdecombe-david-cameron-listen-people|title=Ann Widdecombe: 'I wish David Cameron would listen to people'|last=Moss|first=Stephen|date=6 June 2013|work=The Guardian|access-date=8 February 2014|location=London}}</ref> She also opposes [[gender self-identification]] for [[transgender]] people.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Duffy |first1=Nick |title=Ann Widdecombe lashes out at transgender 'lunacy' |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/06/06/ann-widdecombe-lashes-out-at-transgender-lunacy-in-express-column/ |access-date=12 May 2022 |work=[[PinkNews]] |date=6 June 2018}}</ref> In 2020, she expressed her opposition to same-sex dancing on ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'', saying: "I don't think it is what viewers of ''Strictly'', especially families, are looking for. But that's up to the audience and the programme."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Milton |first1=Josh |title=Ann Widdecombe says 'families' don't want to watch a same-sex couple dance on Strictly Come Dancing and we are so, so tired |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/10/18/ann-widdecombe-strictly-come-dancing-nicola-adams-katya-jones-sunday-times/ |access-date=19 October 2020 |work=PinkNews |date=18 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tucker |first1=Grant |title=Strictly Come Dancing breaks step with first same‑sex pair |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/sex-relationships/article/strictly-come-dancing-breaks-step-with-first-same-sex-pair-wn6nzb78t |access-date=19 October 2020 |work=The Times |date=18 October 2020}}</ref>

===Criminal justice===
In her speech at the 2000 Conservative conference, she called for a [[zero tolerance]] policy of prosecution, with the punishment of £100 fines for users of [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]]. This was well received by rank-and-file Conservative delegates.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2000/oct/06/drugsandalcohol.conservatives2000|title=Widdecombe fights back firm|last=Watt|first=Nicholas|date=6 October 2000|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 August 2009|location=London}}</ref>

Over the years, Widdecombe has expressed her support for a reintroduction of the death penalty, which was abolished in the UK in 1965. She notably spoke of her support for its reintroduction for the worst cases of murder in the aftermath of the [[Soham murders|murder of two 10-year-old girls from Soham]], Cambridgeshire, in August 2002, arguing that in the five years up to 1970 when the death penalty was suspended, the national murder rate had more than doubled.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2204738.stm|title=Death penalty call renewed|date=21 August 2002|work=BBC News}}</ref>
===Environmental and science issues===
She is a committed animal lover and one of the several Conservative MPs to have consistently voted for the ban on [[fox hunting|the hunting of foxes]].<ref>[http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?mpid=1701&dmp=1050 "Ann Widdecombe compared to 'Fox hunting&nbsp;– Ban'"], [[Public Whip]]. Retrieved on 21 March 2009.</ref> Widdecombe was among more than 20 high-profile people who signed a letter to Members of Parliament in 2015 to oppose David Cameron's plan to amend the [[Hunting Act 2004]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/news/1324609-snp-to-vote-against-tories-on-fox-hunting-ban-in-england-and-wales/|title=SNP to vote against Tories on fox hunting ban in England and Wales|date=13 July 2015|work=STV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715203740/http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/news/1324609-snp-to-vote-against-tories-on-fox-hunting-ban-in-england-and-wales/|archive-date=15 July 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=11 June 2021}}</ref>

In 2007, she wrote that she did not want to belittle the issue of [[climate change]], but was sceptical of the claims that specific actions would prevent catastrophe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/2489/Switching-lightbulbs-won-t-save-the-world|title=Switching Lightbulbs won't change the world|date=21 March 2007|publisher=Express.co.uk|access-date=26 August 2011}}</ref> In 2008, she wrote that her doubts had been "crystalised" by [[Nigel Lawson]]'s book ''[[An Appeal to Reason]]'';<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/ourcomments/view/48856|title=Yes, I am a heretic on global warming|date=18 June 2008|publisher=Express.co.uk|access-date=26 August 2011}}</ref> in 2014, she likened Lawson's difficulty in getting the book published to the [[Nazi book burnings|book-burnings in Nazi Germany]].<ref name="Nat12Nov">{{cite news |title=These are the climate change deniers in the Brexit Party |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/18031022.climate-change-deniers-brexit-party/|work=The National |date=12 November 2019|access-date=22 September 2021}}</ref> Later in 2008, Widdecombe claimed that the "science of climate change is robustly disputed",<ref name="Nat12Nov"/> then, in 2009, that "There is no climate change, hasn't anybody looked out of their window recently?"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/79580/Now-the-EU-wants-to-ban-your-plasma-television|title=Article including refutation of any global warming|date=12 January 2009|publisher=Express.co.uk|access-date=26 August 2011}}</ref> She was one of the five MPs who voted against the [[Climate Change Act 2008]].<ref name="Nat12Nov"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2008-10-28&number=298|title=Climate Change Bill&nbsp;— Third Reading (and other amendments)|date=28 October 2008|publisher=The Public Whip|access-date=31 October 2014}}</ref>

The previous year, she voted to support a parliamentary motion in favour of [[homeopathy]], disagreeing with the Science and Technology Committee's Report on the subject.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2009-10/908|title=UK Parliament Early day motion 908|date=23 February 2010|publisher=Parliament UK|access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref>

==Controversies==

In 2009, she partially defended [[Carol Thatcher]]'s use of the racial slur '[[golliwog]]' on ''[[Any Questions?]]'', saying: "There is a generation to whom a golliwog is merely a toy, a generation which was much endeared by its golliwogs which grew up [[Robertson's#Golly branding|with them on jam jars]] ... and there is a generation, a new generation for whom that word is deeply offensive and one does have to make I think some allowance for the fact."<ref>{{cite news |title=Transcript: Any Questions? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/anyquestions_transcripts_20090206.shtml |access-date=19 October 2020 |work=BBC Radio 4 |date=9 February 2009}}</ref> In December 2019, [[WhatsApp]] conversations between her and Brexit Party activists were leaked to the ''[[Plymouth Herald]]'' which showed Widdecombe using the term amid rumours party campaign funding was being diverted away from Plymouth ahead of the general election of that year. Widdecombe said: "Yes, I [[:wikt:throw one's toys out of the pram|threw all my toys of the pram]]. Bears and gollywogs flying everywhere!!"<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Leary |first1=Miles |title=Ann Widdecombe accused of 'racist comments' in Brexit Party Whatsapp group |url=https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/ann-widdecombe-accused-racist-comments-3628950 |access-date=19 October 2020 |work=PlymouthLive |date=10 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Devlin |first1=Kate |title=Ann Widdecombe in race row after leaked WhatsApp conversation |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/ann-widdecombe-in-race-row-after-leaked-whatsapp-conversation-mx5ktlzrr |access-date=19 October 2020 |work=The Times |date=11 December 2019}}</ref>

In 2019 Widdecombe defended the comments she made in a 2012 article that supported "gay conversion" therapy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.express.co.uk/comment/columnists/ann-widdecombe/299271/Helping-those-who-aren-t-glad-to-be-gay|title=Helping those who aren't glad to be gay|date=1 February 2012|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=2 June 2019|location=UK}}</ref> She told [[Sky News]] that science may yet "provide an answer" to the question of whether people can "switch sexuality".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/ann-widdecombe-science-may-produce-an-answer-to-homosexuality-11733559|title=Ann Widdecombe: Science may 'produce an answer' to homosexuality|date=2 June 2019|work=Sky News|access-date=2 June 2019|location=UK}}</ref> Following Widdecombe's apparent endorsement of conversion therapy, at least one venue, the Landmark theatre in [[Ilfracombe]], [[Devon]], cancelled a performance of her one-woman show.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/05/ann-widdecombe-one-woman-show-pulled-after-gay-therapy-remark|title=Ann Widdecombe one-woman show pulled after gay therapy remark|last=Weaver|first=Matthew|date=5 June 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=5 June 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

Widdecombe and two other Brexit Party figures were criticised for previous appearances on the [[David Icke]]-affiliated ''[[Richie Allen Show]]'', which has been accused of promoting [[Holocaust denial]] and [[antisemitic conspiracy theories]] about the [[Rothschild family]] and [[Zionism]]. Widdecombe appeared three times between August 2017 and April 2019 and was described as an "old friend of the show" by the host during one appearance.<ref>Erich, Ben (18 August 2019). [https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/brexit-party-meps-ann-widdecombe-richie-allen-show-david-icke-antisemitic-conspiracy-theories-1.487594 "Brexit Party figures 'appeared on show which promoted Holocaust denial'"]. ''The Jewish Chronicle''.</ref><ref name="Cohen1">{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Ben |title=Leading Brexit Party figures in UK exposed as contributors to radio show pushing Holocaust denial |url=https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/08/19/leading-brexit-party-figures-in-uk-exposed-as-contributors-to-radio-show-pushing-holocaust-denial/ |access-date=22 August 2019 |work=The Algemeiner |date=19 August 2019}}</ref> Widdecombe told ''[[Jewish Chronicle]]'' that she agreed to appear to discuss Brexit, and that she "had never heard of the ''Richie Allen Show'' until I agreed to go on" and distanced herself from its antisemitic content by, among other things, pointing to her membership of the [[Conservative Friends of Israel]], [[B'nai B'rith]] event speeches, and her novel ''An Act of Treachery'', which she said is set during [[the Holocaust]].<ref name="Weich1">{{cite news |last1=Weich |first1=Ben |title=Ann Widdecombe defends appearances on 'antisemitic' radio stations |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/ann-widdecombe-defends-appearance-radio-antisemitic-conspiracy-theories-theory-richie-allen-brexit-1.487725 |access-date=22 August 2019 |work=The Jewish Chronicle |date=22 August 2019}}</ref>

Widdecombe was elected as a [[Member of the European Parliament]] for the Brexit Party on 23 May 2019 in the [[2019 European Parliament election|European elections]]. On 3 July 2019 she used her maiden speech in Strasbourg to compare Brexit to slaves revolting against their owners and to a colonised country rising up against occupying forces, a stance which was criticised by members of both the European Parliament and the British House of Commons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/video-anne-widdecombe-says-brexitu-ilike-slaves-rising-up-against-owners-2019-7|title=Brexit Party's Ann Widdecombe condemned for 'disgraceful' remarks comparing the EU to slave owners|last1=Payne|first1=Adam|last2=Colson|first2=Thomas|website=Business Insider|access-date=4 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/video-anne-widdecombe-says-brexitu-ilike-slaves-rising-up-against-owners-2019-7|title=Brexit Party's Ann Widdecombe condemned for 'disgraceful' remarks comparing the EU to slave owners|last1=Payne|first1=Adam|last2=Colson|first2=Thomas|website=Telegraph|access-date=20 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/07/04/ann-widdecombe-compares-eu-slave-owners-maiden-european-parliament/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/07/04/ann-widdecombe-compares-eu-slave-owners-maiden-european-parliament/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=     News Politics Ann Widdecombe compares EU to slave owners in maiden European Parliament speech |last1=Crisp|first1=James|date=4 July 2019|website=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|access-date=4 July 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48869520|title=Widdecombe's slavery remarks 'disgusting'|last1=Scott|first1=Jennifer|date=4 July 2019|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 July 2019}}</ref>

==Media work and appearances==
[[File:Any Questions, Nexus Methodist Church, Bath.jpg|thumb|Widdecombe in an ''[[Any Questions?]]'' broadcast in 2016 at the Nexus Methodist Church, Bath]]
In 2002 she took part in the ITV programme ''[[Celebrity Fit Club]]''. Also in 2002 she took part in a [[Louis Theroux]] television documentary, depicting her life, both in and out of politics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ann-widdecombe-the-truth-about-me-and-louis-theroux-659429.html|title=Ann Widdecombe: The truth about me and Louis Theroux|date=5 March 2002|work=The Independent|access-date=11 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100517063321/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ann-widdecombe-the-truth-about-me-and-louis-theroux-659429.html|archive-date=17 May 2010 |url-status=live|location=London}}</ref> In March 2004 she briefly became ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper's [[agony aunt]], introduced with an [[Emma Brockes]] interview.<ref name="Brockes1" /> In 2005 [[BBC Two]] showed six episodes of ''The Widdecombe Project'', an agony aunt television programme.<ref name="ind">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ann-widdecombe-mp--an-unlikely-agony-aunt-754932.html|title=Ann Widdecombe MP: an unlikely agony aunt|date=28 June 2005|work=The Independent|access-date=22 August 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20091008170611/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ann-widdecombe-mp--an-unlikely-agony-aunt-754932.html|archive-date=8 October 2009|url-status=dead|location=London}}</ref> In 2005, she appeared in a new series of ''Celebrity Fit Club'', this time as an agony aunt.<ref name="ind" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3558378.stm|title=MP Widdecombe is BBC agony aunt|date=12 August 2004|access-date=21 November 2010|publisher=BBC}}</ref> Also in 2005, she presented the show ''Ann Widdecombe to the Rescue'' in which she acted as an agony aunt, dispensing advice to disputing families, couples, and others across the UK.<ref name="ind" /> In 2005, she appeared in a discussion programme on [[Channel 5 (UK)|Five]] to discuss who had been England's greatest monarch since the [[Norman Conquest]]; her choice of monarch was [[Charles II of England|Charles II]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/200407120003|title=Diary&nbsp;– Jenni Bond|last=Bond|first=Jenni|date=12 July 2004|work=New Statesman|location=UK|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607074724/http://www.newstatesman.com/200407120003|archive-date=7 June 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=22 August 2009}}</ref>

She was the guest host of news quiz ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'' twice, in 2006 and 2007. Her first appearance as guest host, in 2006, was widely regarded as a success.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/arrogant-ann-widdecombe-the-worst-have-i-got-news-for-you-guest-presenter-says-paul-merton/|title='Arrogant' Ann Widdecombe the worst Have I Got News For You guest presenter, says Paul Merton|last=Sherwin|first=Adam|date=2 April 2018|website=inews.co.uk|access-date=27 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2012/11/09/top-10-have-i-got-news-for-you-guest-hosts-boris-johnson-to-damian-lewis-616645/|title=Top 10 Have I Got News For You guest hosts: Damian Lewis to Boris Johnson|date=9 November 2012|access-date=27 May 2019}}</ref> Following her second appearance, Widdecombe said she would never appear on the show again because of comments made by panellist [[Jimmy Carr]] which she considered filth,<ref name="Carr's filth">Ann Widdecombe in the ''Daily Express'', as quoted by {{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2007/nov/28/widdecombedisgustedbycarrs|title=Widdecombe disgusted by Carr's 'filth'|author1=Media Monkey|date=28 November 2007|work=The Guardian|access-date=18 February 2018}}</ref> though she called regular panellists [[Ian Hislop]] and [[Paul Merton]] "the fastest wits in showbusiness".<ref name="Carr's filth" /> Merton later revealed that he thought Widdecombe had been "the worst ever presenter" of the show, particularly on her second appearance where Merton claimed she "thought she was [[Victoria Wood]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/04/05/anti-lgbt-politician-ann-widdecombe-was-the-worst-have-i-got-news-for-you-presenter-ever/|title=Anti-LGBT politician Ann Widdecombe was the 'worst Have I Got News For You presenter ever'|last=Butterworth|first=Benjamin|date=5 April 2018|work=Pink News|location=UK|access-date=6 April 2018}}</ref>

In 2007 she awarded the ''[[University Challenge]]'' trophy to the winners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/University_Challenge|title=University Challenge|publisher=UK Game Shows.com|access-date=22 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105095425/http://ukgameshows.com/ukgs/University_Challenge|archive-date=5 January 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the same year, she appeared in  "[[The Sound of Drums]]", the 12th episode of the third series of the science-fiction drama ''[[Doctor Who]]'', endorsing [[Master (Doctor Who)|the Master's]] Prime Minister campaign.<ref name="Factfile">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/episodes/2007/facts/fact_312.shtml|title=Doctor Who&nbsp;– Fact File&nbsp;– "The Sound of Drums"|author=Peter Ware|work=Doctor Who: the official site|publisher=BBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017034012/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/episodes/2007/facts/fact_312.shtml|archive-date=17 October 2007 |url-status=live|access-date=30 November 2007}}</ref> In 2007 and 2008 Widdecombe fronted a [[television series]] called ''Ann Widdecombe Versus'', on [[ITV1]], in which she spoke to various people about things related to her as an [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]], with an emphasis on confronting those responsible for problems she wished to tackle. In 2007 she talked about prostitution, [[social benefits]], and [[truancy]]. A fourth episode was screened on 18 September 2008 in which she travelled around London and [[Birmingham]] talking to girl gangs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article4781758.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616062223/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article4781758.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 June 2011|title=Ann Widdecombe Versus Girl Gangs; No Heroics; Hollyoaks at timesonline.co.uk|last1=Naughton|first1=Philippe|date=19 September 2008|work=The Times|access-date=1 September 2011|last2=Costello|first2=Miles|location=London}}</ref>

In 2009, Widdecombe appeared with Archbishop [[John Onaiyekan]] in an "[[Intelligence Squared]]" debate in which they defended the motion that the Catholic Church was a force for good. Arguing against the motion were [[Stephen Fry]] and [[Christopher Hitchens]], who won the debate overall.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://archive.catholicherald.co.uk/article/23rd-october-2009/1/atheist-duo-convince-crowd-that-the-church-is-not-|title=Atheist duo convince crowd that the Church is not a force for good|author=Ed West|date=23 October 2009|work=The Catholic Herald|access-date=18 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626053333/http://archive.catholicherald.co.uk/article/23rd-october-2009/1/atheist-duo-convince-crowd-that-the-church-is-not-|archive-date=26 June 2012|url-status=dead|location=London}}</ref>

[[File:Widdebookclub.jpg|thumb|Widdecombe at a book club hosted by [[Edwina Currie]] in [[Clapham]], 2010]]
In October 2010, she appeared on [[BBC One]]'s ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'', partnered by [[Anton du Beke]], winning the support of some viewers despite low marks from the judges.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00v7qxs/Strictly_Come_Dancing_Series_8_Week_1_Show_2/|title=Strictly Come Dancing at|date=2 October 2010|publisher=BBC|access-date=26 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/strictly-come-dancing/8076273/Interview-with-Ann-Widdecombe.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/strictly-come-dancing/8076273/Interview-with-Ann-Widdecombe.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Interview with Ann Widdecombe at www.telegraph.co.uk|last=Grice|first=Elizabeth|date=21 October 2010|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=26 August 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After nine weeks of routines strongly flavoured by comedy, the couple was eliminated, in the bottom two. In 2011 Widdecombe played the Lord Mayoress in an episode of [[Sooty (2011 TV series)|Sooty]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sooty Season 1|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/cmgnfp/sooty-season-1/|access-date=2021-05-31|website=Radio Times|language=en|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602221318/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/cmgnfp/sooty-season-1/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2012, Widdecombe hosted the 30 one-hour episodes of ''[[Cleverdicks]]'', a quiz show for the [[Sky Atlantic]] channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/277070/Ann-Widdecombe-to-host-new-TV-quiz-show|title=Ann Widdecombe to host new TV quiz show|date=12 October 2011|work=Express.co.uk}}</ref> In April 2012 Widdecombe presented an hour-long documentary for [[BBC Radio 5 Live]], ''Drunk Again: Ann Widdecombe Investigates'', looking at how the British attitude to [[alcohol consumption]] had changed over the previous few years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01ghshj|title=Drunk Again: Anne Widdecombe Investigates|date=23 April 2012|publisher=BBC|access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/apr/29/drunk-again-ann-widdecombe-review|title=Rewind radio: Drunk Again: Ann Widdecombe Investigates; Sunday Feature: AL Kennedy's Art of Madness; The Radio Ballads: Never Again – A Lament for the Titanic – review|last1=Sawyer|first1=Miranda|date=28 April 2012|work=The Guardian|access-date=5 February 2018|language=en}}</ref> Widdecombe was in a ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'' special in [[Children in Need]]'s 2012 appeal night.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s104/strictly-come-dancing/news/a434358/russell-grant-widdecombe-return-to-strictly-for-children-in-need.html|title=Russell Grant, Widdecombe return to 'Strictly' for Children in Need|last=Fletcher|first=Alex|date=30 October 2012|publisher=digitalspy.co.uk|access-date=2 November 2012}}</ref> On 4 November 2012, Widdecombe guest-hosted one episode of BBC's ''[[Songs of Praise]]'' programme about singleness.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Ann-s-happy-Strictly-singleton/story-17236462-detail/story.html|title=Ann's happy to be Strictly a singleton|date=5 November 2012|publisher=thisisstaffordshire.co.uk|access-date=5 November 2012}}</ref>

In October 2014, she appeared in the BBC series ''[[Celebrity Antiques Road Trip]]'' with expert [[Mark Stacey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b016nbj8|title=BBC Two – Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, Series 1, Episode 1|work=BBC}}</ref>

Widdecombe took part in a four-part [[BBC One]] television series ''[[24 Hours in the Past]]'', along with [[Colin Jackson]], [[Alistair McGowan]], [[Miquita Oliver]], [[Tyger Drew-Honey]] and [[Zoe Lucker]] in April and May 2015, involving experiencing life as workers in a dustyard, [[coachhouse]], [[pottery]], and as [[workhouse]] inmates in 1840s Britain. She took part in an episode of ''[[Tipping Point (game show)|Tipping Point: Lucky Stars]]'' in 2016. In 2017, Widdecombe took part in ITV's ''[[Sugar Free Farm]]''.

In January 2018, Widdecombe participated in the [[Celebrity Big Brother (British series 21)|Celebrity Big Brother twenty-first series]];<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-42552217|title=Who's in the new Celebrity Big Brother house?|date=2018|work=BBC News|access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref> she was criticised over her comments regarding the [[Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations|Harvey Weinstein controversy]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/celebrity-big-brother-2018-line-up-ann-widdecombe-harvey-weinstein-victim-blaming-a8141096.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/celebrity-big-brother-2018-line-up-ann-widdecombe-harvey-weinstein-victim-blaming-a8141096.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Ann Widdecombe accused of victim blaming after CBB Weinstein discussion|date=4 January 2018|access-date=10 January 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and comments perceived to be anti-LGBT to her fellow housemates, most notably to drag queen [[Courtney Act]] (Shane Jenek).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/tv-radio/2018/01/Celebrity-Big-Brother-ann-widdecombe-isn-t-harmless-comedy-old-lady-she-s-homophobe|title=Ann Widdecombe isn't a harmless comedy old lady – she's a homophobe|last1=Chakelian|first1=Anoosh|date=31 January 2018|work=New Statesman|access-date=2 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="Hague's head girl"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/celebrity-big-brother-fans-brand-ann-widdecombe-a-homophobe-after-latest-controversial-remark-a3747436.html|title=Celebrity Big Brother fans brand Ann Widdecombe a 'homophobe'|last1=Cumberbatch|first1=Aimée Grant|date=23 January 2018|work=Evening Standard|access-date=2 February 2018}}</ref> She finished the competition in second place, behind  Jenek.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/celebrity-big-brother-2018-courtney-act-aka-shane-jenek-beats-ann-widdecombe-to-win-channel-5-a3757021.html|title=Courtney Act aka Shane Jenek beats Ann Widdecombe to win CBB|last1=Powell|first1=Emma|work=Evening Standard|access-date=16 February 2018}}</ref>

In 2019 Widdecombe appeared on the new celebrity version of ''[[The Crystal Maze]]'', where alongside [[Sunetra Sarker]], [[Wes Nelson]], [[Matthew Wright (presenter)|Matthew Wright]] and [[Nikki Sanderson]], she won money for [[Stand Up to Cancer]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1152852/Ann-Widdecombe-Brexit-EU-Crystal-Maze-Richard-Ayoade-news-Channel-4-video |title = Ann Widdecombe hits out at EU officials over Brexit during Celebrity Crystal Maze task|date = 12 July 2019}}</ref>

In 2020 Widdecombe travelled to Norway for three days to visit [[Halden Prison]], for the documentary ''[[The World's Most Luxurious Prison]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/msh8p4/the-worlds-most-luxurious-prison/|title=The World's Most Luxurious Prison|website=Radio Times|archive-date=11 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611224520/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/msh8p4/the-worlds-most-luxurious-prison/|url-status=dead|access-date=11 June 2021}}</ref>

==Stage acting career==
Following her retirement, Widdecombe made her stage debut, on 9 December 2011, at the Orchard Theatre, [[Dartford]] in the Christmas [[pantomime]] ''[[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs]]'', alongside ''Strictly Come Dancing'' judge [[Craig Revel Horwood]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-12626500|title=Ann Widdecombe to star in panto in Dartford|work=BBC News}}</ref> In April 2012, she had a ten-minute non-singing cameo part in [[Gaetano Donizetti]]'s comic opera ''[[La Fille du Regiment]]'', playing the Duchesse de Crackentorp.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17783927|title=Ann Widdecombe makes opera debut|work=BBC News}}</ref> Widdecombe reprised her pantomime performance, again with Horwood, at the Swan Theatre, [[High Wycombe]] in December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wycombeswan.co.uk/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=C3E6222D-6C32-4FA6-816D-BC022B374015|title=HQ Theatres|work=wycombeswan.co.uk}}</ref>

Widdecombe stepped in at short notice to play the [[Evil Queen]] in ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'', which was published by the [[Brothers Grimm]] in 1812, at [[Bridlington Spa]] in December 2016.  She replaced injured [[Lorraine Chase]].  This was Widdecombe's first appearance as a pantomime 'baddie'; a role she told the press she had always hoped for.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bridlingtonfreepress.co.uk/news/widdecombe-quick-steps-in-to-save-the-show-1-8247077|title=Widdecombe quick-steps in to save the show|website=www.bridlingtonfreepress.co.uk|language=en|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref>

In December 2017 Widdecombe played the [[Empress of China]] in the pantomime ''[[Aladdin]]'' at the Marina Theatre in [[Lowestoft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marinatheatre.co.uk/production/marina-panto-2017-aladdin/|title=Marina Panto 2017: Aladdin – Marina Theatre|website=www.marinatheatre.co.uk|access-date=2 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202124600/http://www.marinatheatre.co.uk/production/marina-panto-2017-aladdin/|archive-date=2 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Personal life and family==
Until her retirement following the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]], Widdecombe divided her time between her two homes&nbsp;– one in London and one in the countryside village of [[Sutton Valence]], Kent, in her constituency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/w/ann-widdecombe |title=Ann Widdecombe at |publisher=Fantasticfiction.co.uk |access-date=26 August 2011}}</ref> She sold both upon retiring at the next general election.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/politics_show/regions/south_east/8288134.stm|title=An interview with Ann Widdecombe |last=Wharton|first=Craig|date=2 October 2009|work=The Politics Show|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Company|BBC]]|access-date=8 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/retirementproperty/3361350/Division-bell-rings-for-retiring-Ann-Widdecombe.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225200652/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/retirementproperty/3361350/Division-bell-rings-for-retiring-Ann-Widdecombe.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 February 2009 |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |title=Division bell rings for retiring Ann Widdecombe |first=Nicola |last=Venning |date=21 May 2008}}</ref> She shared her home in London with her widowed mother, Rita Widdecombe, until Rita's death, on 25 April 2007, aged 95.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brankin|first1=Una|title=Strictly Ann: Ann Widdecombe on why she'll sue anyone who says she's not a virgin|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/strictly-ann-ann-widdecombe-on-why-shell-sue-anyone-who-says-shes-not-a-virgin-30347852.html|access-date=10 April 2018|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=12 June 2014}}</ref> In March 2008, she bought a house in [[Haytor Vale]], on [[Dartmoor]] in Devon, where she retired.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2008/08/06/ann_widdecombe_feature.shtml |title=Widdecombe moves to Haytor|publisher=BBC Devon |access-date=26 August 2011|first =Laura |last =Joint|date =6 August 2008}}</ref> Her brother, Malcolm (1937–2010), who was an [[Anglican]] [[Canon (priest)|canon]] in Bristol, retired in May 2009 and died in October 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pipnjay.org/people/history/341-tribute-to-malcolm-widdecombe |title=Tributes to Malcolm Widdecombe |publisher=Pipnjay.org |date=13 April 2011 |access-date=26 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809231624/http://www.pipnjay.org/people/history/341-tribute-to-malcolm-widdecombe |archive-date=9 August 2011 }}</ref> Her nephew, Roger Widdecombe, is an Anglican priest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.annwiddecombe.com/issueshow.aspx?id=59&ref=13 |title=Thanksgiving Service at |publisher=Annwiddecombe.com |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-date=4 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904031406/http://www.annwiddecombe.com/issueshow.aspx?id=59&ref=13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[File:Ann Widdecombe.jpg|upright|thumb|Widdecombe in 2006]]She has never married nor had any children. In November 2007 on [[BBC Radio 4]] she described how a journalist once produced a profile on her with the assumption that she had had at least "one sexual relationship", to which Widdecombe replied: "Be careful, that's the way you get sued". When interviewer [[Jenni Murray]] asked if she had ever had a sexual relationship, Widdecombe laughed "it's nobody else's business".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/02/2007_45_tue.shtml |title=Ann Widdecombe on BBC "Woman's Hour" at |publisher=BBC |access-date=26 August 2011}}</ref>

A 2001 report in ''[[The Guardian]]'' said that she had had a three-year romance while studying at the [[University of Oxford]];<ref>{{cite news |last1=Glover |first1=Julian |last2=Roth |first2=Andrew |title=RIP: Ann Widdecombe's political career |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/jun/18/conservatives.uk2|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=18 June 2001}}</ref> Widdecombe confirmed this in January 2018 on the UK reality TV show ''[[Big Brother (UK TV series)|Big Brother]]'', explaining that she had ended the romance in order to prioritise her career.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Roche|first1=Elisa|title=Ann Widdecombe: I regret not having children and losing the love of my life|url=https://www.express.co.uk/expressyourself/243384/Ann-Widdecombe-I-regret-not-having-children-and-losing-the-love-of-my-life|access-date=9 January 2018|work=Express|date=28 April 2011}}</ref><ref name=Brockes1>{{cite news|last1=Brockes|first1=Emma|title=What a stupid question|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2004/mar/29/conservatives.uk3|access-date=17 February 2018|work=The Guardian|date=29 March 2004}}</ref>

Widdecombe has a fondness for cats and many other animals such as foxes; a section of her website, the ''Widdyweb'', is about the pet cats she has lived with.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.annwiddecombe.com/ann-widdecombe-cats.php|title=Ann Widdecombe's Cats &#124; Official Ann Widdecombe Web Site (WiddyWeb)|website=www.annwiddecombe.com}}</ref> Widdecombe adopted two goats at the Buttercups Goat Sanctuary in [[Boughton Monchelsea]] near Maidstone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.annwiddecombe.com/ann-widdecombe-public-engagements.php|title=Ann Widdecombe|website=www.annwiddecombe.com|access-date=10 January 2018}}</ref> In an interview, Widdecombe talked about her appreciation of music, despite describing herself as "pretty well tone-deaf".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14161671 |agency=BBC News |title=Five Minutes With: Ann Widdecombe |date=16 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/apr/15/election20051 |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Will |last=Hodgkinson |title=Ann Widdecombe |date=15 April 2005}}</ref>

Outside politics she writes novels, and a weekly column for the ''[[Daily Express]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Harp|first1=Justin|title=CBB explains how Ann is continuing her outside work|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/celebrity-big-brother/news/a847188/celebrity-big-brother-2018-how-ann-widdecombe-continues-newspaper-column/|website=Digital Spy|access-date=17 February 2018|date=10 January 2018|quote=Eyebrows were raised for some when the former Tory MP's weekly op-ed piece was published as usual by the ''Daily Express'' on Wednesday (10 January), drawing questions about the procedure for her to continue her outside work.}}</ref>

In January 2011 Widdecombe was President of the [[North of England Education Conference]] in [[Blackpool]], and gave a speech there supporting [[selective education]] and opposing the ban on new [[grammar schools]] being built.<ref>{{cite news|title=Treat children strictly, says dancing star Widdecombe|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/treat-children-strictly-says-dancing-star-widdecombe-qx8fv93f8s2|access-date=6 February 2018|work=The Times|url-access=subscription |date=6 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Ross|first1=Tim|title=Ann Widdecombe: lift ban on grammar schools|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8241633/Ann-Widdecombe-lift-ban-on-grammar-schools.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8241633/Ann-Widdecombe-lift-ban-on-grammar-schools.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=6 February 2018|work=The Telegraph|date=6 January 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Shepherd|first1=Jessica|title=Grammar school ban must end, Ann Widdecombe urges|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/jan/05/widdecombe-backs-grammar-schools|access-date=6 February 2018|work=The Guardian|date=5 January 2011}}</ref> She also became a patron of The Grace Charity for M.E.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thegracecharityforme.org/ |title=Welcome to the Grace Charity for M.E. |publisher=The Grace Charity for M.E. |access-date=21 November 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101030151852/http://www.thegracecharityforme.org/|archive-date=30 October 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2012 Widdecombe said that she was writing her autobiography, which she described as "rude about all and sundry, but an amount of truth is always necessary". Her autobiography ''Strictly Ann: The Autobiography'', was published in 2013, and was variously described as "forthright", "candid", even "rude".<ref name=chorley />

Widdecombe is a patron of the charity [[Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land]] (SHADH) and in 2014 visited the SHADH Donkey Sanctuary in the [[West Bank]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://goodnewsshared.com/safe-life-ann-widdecombe-visits-donkey-charity/|title=Safe For Life: Ann Widdecombe Visits Donkey Charity|date=July 2014|work=Good News Shared}}</ref><ref name="chorley"/>

===Religious views===
Widdecombe became an Anglican in her 30s, after a period of being an [[agnostic]] following her departure from religious schooling.<ref name="Brockes1" /> She [[Religious conversion|converted]] to Catholicism in 1993 after leaving the [[Church of England]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7157409.stm|title=Tony Blair joins catholic church|publisher=bbconline|access-date=17 June 2009 |date=22 December 2007 |location=London}}</ref> explaining to reporters from the ''[[New Statesman]]'':

:I left the Church of England because there was a huge bundle of straw. The [[Ordination of women in the Anglican Communion|ordination of women]] was the last straw, but it was only one of many. For years I had been disillusioned by the Church of England's compromising on everything. The Catholic Church doesn't care if something is unpopular.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2010/07/catholic-church-religious|title=Ann Widdecombe&nbsp;– extended interview by Alyssa McDonald|work=New Statesman |location=UK|date=19 July 2010|access-date=28 October 2010}}</ref>

In October 2006, she pledged to boycott [[British Airways]] for suspending a worker who refused to hide her [[Christian cross]], until the company reversed the suspension.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=21286&in_page_id=34|title=Widdecombe pledges to boycott BA|date=15 October 2006|publisher=Metro|access-date=22 August 2009}}</ref>

In 2010, Widdecombe turned down the offer to be Britain's next ambassador to the [[Holy See]], being prevented from accepting by suffering a [[detached retina]].<ref name="Ann Widdecombe rules out Vatican appointment, The New Statesman, 2010">{{cite magazine|last=Crampton|first=Caroline|title=Ann Widdecombe rules out Vatican appointment|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2010/07/detached-retina-post-vatican|magazine=The New Statesman|access-date=16 December 2012}}</ref> She was made a Dame of the [[Order of St. Gregory the Great]] by [[Pope Benedict XVI]] for services to politics and public life on 31 January 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=21860 |title=Ann Widdecombe awarded papal honour |publisher=Independent Catholic News |date=31 January 2013 |access-date=2 February 2013}}</ref>

==Honours==
*Widdecombe was appointed an [[Honorary Fellow]] of [[Canterbury Christ Church University]] at a ceremony held at [[Canterbury Cathedral]] on 30 January 2009.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=Widdecombe, Holland and Underwood are appointed honorary fellows
 |publisher=[[Canterbury Christ Church University]]
 |date=3 February 2009
 |url=http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/News/newsRelease.asp?newsPk=1301
 |access-date=19 August 2009
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720143843/http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/News/newsRelease.asp?newsPk=1301
 |archive-date=20 July 2011
}}</ref>
* She was awarded the [[honorary degree]] of [[Doctor of the University]] (D.Univ) by the [[University of Birmingham]] on 5 July 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2012/06/28-Jun-Honarary-Grads-Press-Release.aspx|title=Honorary graduands for July 2012|website=www.birmingham.ac.uk|access-date=26 May 2019}}</ref>
*{{Flag|Holy See}}: Dame of the [[Order of St Gregory the Great]] (DSG) (2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/21860|title=Ann Widdecombe awarded papal honour|website=www.indcatholicnews.com|date=31 January 2013 |access-date=20 August 2020}}</ref>

==Selected publications==

===Fiction===
* 2000: ''The Clematis Tree''. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson {{ISBN|0-297-64572-2}}
* 2002: ''An Act of Treachery''. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson {{ISBN|0-297-64573-0}}
* 2005: ''Father Figure''. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson {{ISBN|0-297-82962-9}}
* 2005: ''An Act of Peace''. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson {{ISBN|0-297-82958-0}}

===Non-fiction===
* 1999: ''Inspired and Outspoken: the collected speeches of Ann Widdecombe''; edited by John Simmons, with a biographical preface by Nick Kochan. London: Politico's Publishing {{ISBN|1-902301-22-6}}
*2004: ''The Mass is a Mess'', with Martin Kochanski. London: Catholic Writers' Guild

==Further reading==
* 2000: Kochan, Nicholas ''Ann Widdecombe: right from the beginning''. London: Politico's Publishing {{ISBN|1-902301-55-2}}
{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.annwiddecombe.com/ Official website]
* [https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/ann_widdecombe/maidstone_and_the_weald TheyWorkForYou.com&nbsp;– Ann Widdecombe MP]
* [http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?mpn=Ann_Widdecombe&mpc=Maidstone+%26amp%3B+The+Weald The Public Whip&nbsp;– Ann Widdecombe MP] voting record
* {{Hansard-contribs | miss-ann-widdecombe | Ann Widdecombe }}

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|uk}}
{{s-bef|before=[[John Wells (British politician, born 1925)|John Wells]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for [[Maidstone (UK Parliament constituency)|Maidstone]]|years=[[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987]]–[[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]]}}
{{s-non|reason=Constituency abolished}}
|-
{{s-new|constituency}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for {{nowrap|[[Maidstone and The Weald]]}}|years=[[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]]–[[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Helen Grant (politician)|Helen Grant]]}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[John Maples]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Shadow Secretary of State for Health]]|years=1998–1999}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Liam Fox]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Norman Fowler]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Shadow Home Secretary]]|years=1999–2001}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Oliver Letwin]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{2009 Speaker of the British House of Commons election}}
{{Shadow Home Secretaries}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Brexit Party}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Widdecombe, Ann}}
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