Ann Widdecombe became a dominant pro-Brexit voice later in her career.

Ann Widdecombe, former Conservative MP, was elected as an MEP for the Brexit Party in 2019 Former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe has died aged 78. "It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of The Right Honourable Ann Widdecombe, DSG," a statement from her agents, Cloud 9 Management, said. Widdecombe's political career spanned decades, serving as MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years, before going on to join Reform UK. She also appeared on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing and was a runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018. Widdecombe served as a Home Office and an employment minister in Sir John Major's government between 1994 to 1997. She was a staunch supporter of the UK's departure from the EU and between 2019-2020 served as a Brexit Party MEP for South West England in the European Parliament. In 2023, Widdecombe joined Nigel Farage's Reform UK, after the party changed its name from the Brexit Party, and made a number of appearances as Reform's immigration and justice spokesperson.