Page "Ann Widdecombe" Paragraph 12

During the 2001 Conservative leadership election, she could not find sufficient support amongst Conservative MPs for her leadership candidacy.

She first supported Michael Ancram, who was eliminated in the first round, and then Kenneth Clarke, who lost in the final round.

She afterwards declined to serve in Iain Duncan Smith's Shadow Cabinet ( although she indicated on the television programme When Louis Met ..., prior to the leadership contest, that she wished to retire to the backbenches anyway ).