Ann Widdecombe, Former MP, Dies Aged 78

Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative Member of Parliament and Member of the European Parliament, died on July 10, 2026, at the age of 78. A statement released by her management confirmed her passing. Widdecombe was a notable figure in British politics, known for her strong Eurosceptic stance and socially conservative viewpoints throughout her career.

Widdecombe served as the Member of Parliament for Maidstone from 1987 to 1997, and subsequently represented the constituency of South West Devon from 1997 until her retirement from the House of Commons in 2010. She also held a position as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the South West England constituency from 2019 to 2024, representing the Brexit Party, which later became Reform UK.

Throughout her parliamentary career, Widdecombe was recognized for her outspoken nature and her contributions to debates on social issues. Her political career spanned several decades, during which she became a prominent voice within the Conservative Party before her later association with Reform UK. Her death marks the end of a significant chapter in recent British political history.