A different side to Ann (From Stroud News and Journal)

A different side to Ann

ANN Widdecombe made her reputation as a formidable politician but recently revealed a new face to the public.

As well as taking part in television weight-loss show Celebrity Fit Club, she has made her debut as a novelist and is currently promoting her new book, a love story entitled An Act of Treachery.

But when she appeared at the Sundial Theatre, Cirencester at the end of November all the audience wanted to talk about was politics.

After a lively discussion with Radio 5's Iain Dale about her career, the MP for Maidstone and the Weald invited questions from the floor on any subject.

The traditional-looking members of the public used the session as a sounding board to find out her views on issues such as top-up university fees and Tony Blair's style of government.

Perhaps the great British public (even her ardent supporters) is not quite ready to accept Ann's new image as celebrity and writer.

The event was filmed, bizarrely, by Channel 4's Pet Rescue and will appear later this month.

This was almost certainly because Ann is patron of Cats Protection, for whom she collected money during her book signing.

She talked about significant moments in her working life, such as when, as Home Office minister in charge of prisons, she was held responsible for the handcuffing of a woman giving birth in hospital.

Ann told the Cirencester audience that, as with all prisoners, the woman was released as soon as she began receiving medical treatment.

She also spoke of her disapproval of fox hunting, her love of cats and her literary rivalry with Edwina Currie.

Not an evening for those looking for political controversy or a contentious debate but nevertheless an enjoyable talk by an entertaining speaker.

For more arts events from the Stroud area, see this week's SNJ.