UK reform will 'preserve the balance of power' in next election, says Anne Widdecombe

Anne Widdecombe joined Reform UK, the successor to the Brexit Party, in March. Photo: Elliot Franks/Eevine

Reform UK to be repeated Rise of Brexit party and 'hold the balance of power' in next election, says Anne Widdecombe.

Former Tory minister says right-wing populist party 'will be huge' warning.» shot» from the bow of her former detachment.

Ms Widdecombe was a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010, but in 2019 she defected to the Brexit Party in protest of Britain's refusal to leave the EU. In March, she joined Reform, the successor to the Brexit Party.

Creating trouble for Tories

In an interview with GB News aired on Sunday, she warned that Reform would cause trouble for Tories in the general election. . “Now we have 8% in the polls. For a tiny party, this is relatively new, not bad actually,” she said.

“I think that by the time we have proper policies, which will be long before the next election, I think we will break through.”

She continued: “Now I don’t say that we lead to power. I'm not that optimistic. I think it is likely that we will maintain the balance of power.

“But whatever we do, we will fire a powerful warning shot at the bow of the Conservative Party, which is what the Brexit Party did in the European elections in 2019 when we won.»

Loss in the election of the Conservatives is «inevitable»

Ms Widdecombe said keeping Northern Ireland in the single market is proof that Brexit is still off and that the Tories will «inevitably» lose the next election.

“There is a fault line in the Conservative Party towards Europe that is not going anywhere,” she said. “It just won't go away. I mean, I think everyone thought that the referendum would solve everything. Then, when the referendum didn't go as they expected, they thought, well, actually, when we get Brexit, that'll fix it. The argument is still there. I think it's time for another centre-right party.»

Words that could cause scandal, she questioned the quality of today's female MPs, saying there are «a lot of miniskirts» in Parliament. but «not a lot of talent.»

«Awful lot of miniskirts,»

Ms Widdecombe said, «I think Parliament has not only not improved, but it's become very, very third caliber.< /p> >

“When I look at some of the famous people who were there in my time, I mean on both sides of the House. Let's look at women. You had Thatcher, you had Betty Boothroyd, you had Shirley Williams, you had Barbara Castle.

“They were big figures, very capable, very capable. Now you have an awful lot of miniskirts, but, you know, not much talent.»

Criticizing the use of all-female lists, she added: «I'm all for women in parliament, but they must go there in the same way as the men. They must achieve this by defeating all competitors.