Ann Widdecombe’s death should make Britain ask itself: what sort of political culture do we want? | Gaby Hinsliff
Why This Matters
The death of Ann Widdecombe serves as a poignant reminder of the evolving nature of political culture in Britain, where dehumanization and demonization of politicians can have severe consequences. This incident highlights the need for a shift in public perception, emphasizing the importance of recognizing politicians as individuals rather than symbols of the state. The tragic event underscores the imperative for a more nuanced and empathetic approach to politics.
Dehumanising politicians is the first step towards justifying their elimination. It matters more than ever to keep putting the person back into the pictureAnn Widdecombe was never one to hide from an argument. And she wasn’t afraid for her safety either. She scoffed at friends’ suggestions that she should get electric gates, as an elderly woman with a public profile living alone on Dartmoor, just as she dismissed concerns about her health at 78.Having lost friends in the Brighton hotel bombing that almost killed Margaret Thatcher, she wasn’t naive about security. But she was forged in a different era: one before Jo Cox was murdered, when the greatest risk was to politicians identified as symbols of the state, rather than as the embodiment of an idea. She posed happily for press photographs inside her retirement bungalow, including one available to anyone casually Googling that included the house’s distinctive name: Widdecombe’s Rest. She would have been so easy to find, had anyone gone looking. Perhaps she never really believed that anyone would.Gaby Hinsliff is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
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