Ann Widdecombe issued a warning over the Makerfield by-election in one of her final public appearances before her death. On Friday (10 July), the former Conservative minister turned Reform UK member’s management confirmed that she had died aged 78, saying she would be missed “greatly”. During a Jeremy Vine & Daytime on 5 broadcast on 17 June, Ms Widdecombe warned that Rupert Lowe's party was the only thing standing between Reform's Robert Kenyon and victory, though Andy Burnham eventually won the by-election.