Letter: Ann Widdecombe left behind a legacy of achievement - we are missing her type in politics
A letter from David Fleming:
It saddened me to learn of the death of Ann Widdecombe who made an indelible impact on British politics, leaving behind a legacy of fulfilment and achievement.
She appeared on Strictly Come Dancing gaining plaudits, which she didn't get when she was prisons minister. I know from experience, having worked at the Home Office.
Ann believed that jails and discipline went hand in hand and a defining moment of my witnessing was on a tour of a prison when she responded to an inmate threat by warning she would take all his remission off him!
The Rt Hon Lady was synonymous with pushing through deportations, and correspondingly hardline with early releases. She demonstrably had the interests of the law abiding public at heart over criminals.
We are missing the Ann Widdecombes of politics. The Iron Lady Mk II, may she rest in peace.
David Fleming, Norfolk