Ann Widdecombe webchat 14 June 1.30-2.30pm

fritter

Do you think David Cameron is the best leader the Conservatives have had in your lifetime?

No. That was certainly Margaret Thatcher and John Major is much underestimated. William Hague was a very good leader but got the position too soon.

However, David Cameron is doing a good job in difficult circumstances, and all leaders have both strengths and weaknesses.

closetgran

Do you feel as much at home in the Roman Catholic Church as you did in the Church of England?

Far more so. It was the best decision I have ever taken.

gkal

Hello Ann, I have rather a serious question I'm afraid. I wonder how you came to terms with having to defend in parliament, in 1996(?), the shackling (using handcuffs and chains) of pregnant prisoners until just before they gave birth or until they had received an epidural and were therefore unable to escape through paralysis of lower limbs. Anyone who has given birth will know how frightening it can be at times. If I had been chained to my bed during labour, I think I would have become hysterical. I know this still happens in the US but in Sweden it is considered a barbaric practice and now I think in the UK, it has been banned. Thanks in advance for your point of view.

This is an old myth. If you look at the statement I made in parliament in January 1996, you will see that I clearly asserted that it had never been policy to secure women in labour.

The policy I inherited and supported was to secure women between prison and hospital and to remove the cuffs when labour began. Indeed, very often women moved freely about well before labour began.

Grannylin

Hello Ann,
Do blondes have more fun?

The only difference I noticed when I was blonde was that men talked to me much more slooooooowly!

nanaej

Hello Ann,

Do you still advocate the death penalty? If so how do you justify that with your Christian faith?

Yes, I still believe that there is a moral case for the death penalty being available. If and only if it can be shown to be a deterrent. In the five years after the abolition of the death penalty the capital murder rate went up 125% and there was a huge rise in the incidents of firearms being taken on robberies.

Therefore I have no doubt the availability of the capital penalty saves innocent lives.

Gally

Ann, you have devoted so much of your life to politics, charities and latterly to dancing, tv, theatre, pantomime and even briefly opera. When, finally, you are on your own in your Devon home, how do you relax? Do you enjoy your own company or are you desperate to be off on your next venture. For what it's worth, I believe you are the best Speaker who never was - I was so disappointed when you decided not to go for it, particularly when the present incumbant was elected!! Do you miss the cut and thrust of politics or was it a relief when you finally retired?

I did stand for speaker! I was eliminated in the second ballot. I don't miss politics, because I got the point of retirement right. And I certainly wouldn't lie to be in coalition.

I very much enjoy my own company, which is why, apart from when my mother was living with me, after the death of my father, I have always chosen to live alone.

In Devon I read, walk and swim.

sailorgran

Why is nail polish important to you? Have you always cared about looking presentable? Do you think it's important to make the best of yourself?

I do care to look appropriately dressed and tidy, but I do think that we have appearance out of all proportion. I like nail polish, but I certainly wouldn't describe it as "important".

merlotgran

Anne, You are well known for not pulling your punches when it comes to bewailing the falling standards of moral behaviour in young women. Unlike you, some people in the public eye are often wary of being too outspoken in case their popularity is damaged, so, to prevent a shortage of future battleaxes, which well known personality would you take on as an apprentice?

How about Nadine Dorries?! She is a bit wild, but you could never accuse her of failing to say what she thinks. The trick however is to think before you say what you think.

distaffgran

Do you think Ministers should take responsibility for the actions of their special advisers?

Ministers should take responsibility for everything that happens in their departments, including the actions of special advisors and civil servants. That cannot reasonably mean that they can know everything that is happening in every corner, but it simply to say that the buck has to stop somewhere.

Hello everyone, I'm Ann Widdecombe.