After 55 years of party loyalty to leaders ranging from Heath to Thatcher, after first being elected as a Tory 43 years ago in 1976, the impossible has happened. Ann Widdecombe has left the Conservative Party. She is seen in the tabloids and on reality TV as the definitive Tory.
The mood with the Conservative Party is furiously mutinous. Downing Street this morning is calmly pointing to polls from early April showing the PM regularly beats Corbyn as choice of ‘best PM’ by around 10 points – neglecting to mention “Don’t Know” is the top choice. They also cite a YouGov poll from April 1 showing 68% saying that “If Theresa May were to stand down and someone else were appointed leader it “would probably not help resolve the issue of Brexit”. This was of course before she May invited Corbyn in to determine the terms of Brexit…
The ConservativeHome headline says it all “May breaks the record for most unpopular Conservative minister ever in our Cabinet League Table“. Theresa May has lost the confidence of the men in grey suits who have told her in no uncertain terms it is time to go, the parliamentary party and the national party in the country. The question is how soon she will go?
Anne Widdecombe has quit the Tories for the Brexit Party, something Guido would until now have seen as probable as the ravens leaving the Tower of London. Die-hard Tories intend to vote for the Brexit Party. Theresa May has split the Conservative Party…
Did you ever think we’d see Ann Widdecombe straighten her hair, bark like a dog or jump in the hot tub? Nope? Neither did we.
Has she done enough to WIN #CBB? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/FEufwyl103
— Big Brother UK (@bbuk) 2 February 2018
Ann Widdecombe has miraculously survived Celebrity Big Brother long enough to make it to tonight’s final. Ann’s many idiosyncrasies have entertained the nation. Tory Chair Brandon Lewis is backing her:
Not sure what to do this evening? Tune in to hear @JamesCleverly on @BBCAnyQuestions & then remember to vote for Anne Widdecombe on @bbuk #widderstowin
— Brandon Lewis (@BrandonLewis) 2 February 2018
After Toff’s I’m a Celeb triumph could another Tory be set for reality TV success?
Ann Widdecombe has been in the Celebrity Big Brother house for barely 48 hours and has already been accused of ‘victim blaming’ and ignited a ‘transphobia row’. In reality, the former Tory MP is using her time on the show to deliver some classic Widders plain speaking to her fellow housemates, as this clip shows. How long will she last?
“Stop squeaking!” “There he goes again!” “Ohhhh…trivial” – @OwenJones84 on the receiving end of some prime #widdecisms on #AftertheNews pic.twitter.com/OhDRzssDtT
— After The News (@AfterTheNewsITV) 19 October 2017
If only Ann was around every time he’s on telly…
