The sadness over the unexpected death of Ann Widdecombe quickly turned to anger yesterday as it emerged she had been brutally murdered in her own home. Yet her murder represents far more for it signifies the murder of principle and decency itself.
The murder of Ann Widdecombe has rightly shocked people across the nation and political spectrum, but not before many who did not share her political views were quick to denounce her and even celebrate her passing. For these sick people, selfish vitriol goes before any sense of common decency and as is so often the case, the very people who push the ‘be kind’ line turn out to be something rather more sinister. Kindness, it seems (even in death) is not something they are capable of despite constantly preaching about it.
Ann Widdecombe was a patriot who loved her country and dedicated her life to public service. Her Christian faith was the main driver in her life and her love for her saviour Jesus drove her to resolutely stand for truth which she did unwaveringly right up to her untimely death. She had appeared on Talk TV only on Wednesday morning where she appeared full of life and in her usual form. That she would be dead a matter of hours later having suffered terrible head injuries at the hand of a brutal murderer makes it all the more shocking.
Miss Widdecombe was known for her clear views on a number of issues. She was a proud Conservative for many years but never ceased to be conservative in her views that were informed by the deeply held principles she had that were informed by her faith. This led her to be a strong defender of the freedom of speech, speak out on sex outside of marriage, opposing abortion and being a staunch opposer of gay ‘marriage’. These views stood at odds with an increasingly liberal political class yet because she espoused her views from a point of principle shaped by her faith she garnered a lot of respect not only from colleagues but across the political spectrum.
Many people disagreed with Ann on various issues, but few disliked her. This was because she had a way of putting forth her views in a forthright but respectful manner. She was above all a thoroughly decent individual whose life has now tragically been cut short in the most brutal and evil way.
Ann Widdecombe embodied two traits I fear we have now lost in British public life, that of principle and decency. In a world where politicians are clamouring to jump onto every latest bandwagon in a desperate attempt to appear relevant to the people they claim to represent, Ann simply held true to her beliefs regardless of the direction of the political wind.
Our politics is filled with lightweights who have zero principle, don’t know what they believe in and are therefore up for grabs for whatever cause pops up they see might advance their own career. They are career politicians, lobby fodder for party whips and nothing more. They occupy a seat for a while and when they are finished with get replaced by a younger more polished puppet to bleat out the approved line.
Ann Widdecombe did not flex with the seasons. She held to her beliefs regardless of what others thought of them or her and explained and applied them clearly in changing contexts. This gave her a firm foundation in life. You always knew where Ann stood on key issues and she was not afraid to tell you if, (for some reason) you didn’t.
Our political discourse is far worse for lack of decency and principle. You can disagree with people whilst not belittling them. You can engage in debate and not insistent on winning every time at any cost. You can hold to a different opinion whilst respecting an alternative view without it turning to character assassination. Yet this so often seems to be lacking in our political discourse today.
Our nation is much the poorer without the knowledge, insight, principle and wit of Ann Widdecombe and I fear that her murder represents the near end of a politics of decency and principle. It can be recovered, but it won’t be easy. Perhaps her murder will be a wake up call for many. However, if we continue to drift in this mire of liberalism and wokery where the truth is suppressed and chaos and confusion are endorsed our days are numbered as a nation.
We must urgently recover the art of working out views from a point of principle. We must learn to robustly challenge views whilst remaining respectful of alternative opinions to our own. A decent society, as Ann Widdecombe repeatedly said requires us to live alongside people we disagree with. As she said during a debate at the Oxford Union, “Nobody has the right to live their lives being protected from offence, or from insult or from hurt feelings – it is an occupational hazard of living in society. And if you really can’t take it, become a hermit.”
Ann Widdecombe was one of a kind, she also represented the key values of principle and decency. Her murder signifies the death of principle and decency, something we need to urgently recover for that is the only way we can continue as a civilised nation. The most fitting tribute to Ann Widdecombe is to uphold these values and defeat the voices of intolerance that seek to silence the voices of those they disagree with.
