Anne Widdecombe has died

Whitewavemark2

Never speak I’ll of the dead.

So I won’t.

Assuming that your device autocorrected ’ill’ to ‘I’ll’, I will also leaf my opinion unsaid.

I liked and admired Anne Widdecombe.
Highly intelligent, very hard worker, mistress of the riposte, a great deal of common sense tempered with sympathy, and the ability to laugh at herself.
I remember her saying when asked why she had decided to join Strictly, that all her life she had been responsible for or to a position; now she was retired she was going to have some fun, and I hope she enjoyed it.
A life well spent..

What a marvellous lady Ann Widecombe rest in peace. Hopefully going to a politics free zone?

I don't believe people are all good or all bad. It is our choices which define us. I believe she made poor choices. I am sad that she has died. John Donne said, "each man's death diminishes me," and I would agree with that. I would disagree with most of her beliefs but someone said she was kind and my son said she was very good to animals. I hope the positive things will be what is celebrated about her while all parts of her personality are remembered

I worked with her a couple of times. She was supportive, helpful and quite charming. One of the things I remember is that she had the most lovely hands - and always well manicured.

I always though of her as being a bit like the political version of Miriam Margolyes (without the swearing and lewd remarks). The same unabashed straightforwardness.

R.I.P. Anne.

Crikey, J Vine show still discussing Anne. Nearly an hour of tributes and phonecalls from her fans.

Our friend was on the same Strictly series as Ann (series 8) and said she was kind, friendly and extremely funny.

Padstow13

Ah, yes - quite infamously converted to Roman Catholicism as a protest against the ordination of women priests by the Anglican Church.

Says it all.

The fact that the poster uses the term infamously perhaps says it all about its its author

I liked her she said it like it is was no pussyfooting around.

RIP

I’m going to be honest, it’s sad she’s died, and I “enjoyed” her antics on strictly.

But her extreme views on both abortion and the gay community sickened me.

People who kill foetuses sicken me unless there are very strong medical reasons.

ronib

People who kill foetuses sicken me unless there are very strong medical reasons.

That’s your view and you’re perfectly entitled to it.

In my humble opinion, using your political and personal fame to spread your rhetoric about both gay people and abortion is not a great thing to do.

I believe women should be able to make decisions regarding their own bodies and pregnancies.

Incest, rape, and very young child pregnancies are not medical issues, yet are very good reasons for seeking abortions.

Bringing unplanned/unwanted babies into our world is not always the right thing to do.

She also believed in conversion therapy, with two gay daughters and a gay niece and nephew it’s quite clear I’d never ever support this barbaric therapy.

Sorry!

I do wish RIP to AW and her family. I won’t be a total hypocrite and pretend I admired her, I didn’t.

Why is It infamous to convert to Catholicism? To stay within a section of Christianity that you don't agree with would surely be hypocrisy?! I'm afraid Anne was one of a dying breed of politicians the like of which we see more and more rarely. The hypocritical, ambitious sleazebags we see today in all political parties quite frankly don't even begin to compare with Anne. A sad day inded.

Wasn’t there a thread on naming strong women?
She would be near the top of my list for sure.
Loved her on that show about the family that didn’t work. She gave them short shrift 😳

I can't admire someone who thought women prisoners should give birth in handcuffs.

Sago

Padstow13

Ah, yes - quite infamously converted to Roman Catholicism as a protest against the ordination of women priests by the Anglican Church.

Says it all.

What does “says it all” mean to you?

To me it means a woman of strong principle.

Strong principles alright - dictated to her by one of the most ultra-mysoginistic religious organisations ever known.

That is exactly what 'says it all' means.

And, incidentally, I was previously an RC for several decades of my life. I'd call them 'The Blind Years".

Didn't she suddenly get very thin? I always worry when I notice sudden weight loss although nowadays some rich people take weight loss drugs.

She was interesting on talk shows with her no nonsense views. RIP

I am watching Jeremy Vine. The tributes have come from people in all walks of life.
She will, in my opinion be sadly missed. Honesty, humorous, straightforward, and no fear to say what she believed. Qualities to be admired I my opinion. My partner detests her. I have told him to show respect.

rafichagran

I am watching Jeremy Vine. The tributes have come from people in all walks of life.
She will, in my opinion be sadly missed. Honesty, humorous, straightforward, and no fear to say what she believed. Qualities to be admired I my opinion. My partner detests her. I have told him to show respect.

Your partner is simply not being a hypocrite.

It’s always sad for the family when someone dies and she wasn’t really that old.

However, I don’t go for the “don’t speak ill of dead” belief, if you don’t admire someone in life, it’s not really disrespectful to maintain that view in their death.

Unless, of course it’s a close friend or family member.

RIP Ann, her Strictly days with Anton will never be forgotten. I was shocked to read of her death today, I wonder if it was unexpected?

Padstpw13

If you think Catholics are misogynistic
I suggest you read up on Islam, it makes us look incredibly progressive.

Ilovecheese

I can't admire someone who thought women prisoners should give birth in handcuffs.

Absolute nonsense! She was totally clear that once women prisoners were in labour they should not be handcuffed.

Ilovecheese

I can't admire someone who thought women prisoners should give birth in handcuffs.

Indeed - some of her views were directly in conflict with her professed christian ethics.

I admire people who are principled, but where that involves damning whole groups of decent people (gay people for instance) my admiration drains away somewhat rapidly.

I think she was sheltered from the realities of how some people have had to live their lives and her pronouncements were based on this lack of understanding. She took shelter in rigid thinking. I cannot admire that.

It is sad when anyone dies - well, perhaps not anyone! - and presumably her family will be sad.

A dreadful woman.

eazybee

I liked and admired Anne Widdecombe.
Highly intelligent, very hard worker, mistress of the riposte, a great deal of common sense tempered with sympathy, and the ability to laugh at herself.
I remember her saying when asked why she had decided to join Strictly, that all her life she had been responsible for or to a position; now she was retired she was going to have some fun, and I hope she enjoyed it.
A life well spent..

Exactly this…
RIP Anne