Brexit and the waning days of the United Kingdom

[Sheilbh]

Goodness - man charged with murder of Ann Widdecombe and police indicating it was politically motivated (we'll need to see what comes out in the trial and, possibly, after). But the details are horrendous. As I say she was an almost 80 year old woman eating her lunch in the kitchen - from the Times:

Kashif Malik, for the prosecution, told the court that Kerry allegedly struck Widdecombe with the hammer 21 times, then tipped her out of a chair and took her wallet. He is accused of being in the house for two minutes.
[...]
Ring doorbell footage was recovered from the property that showed the defendant's red Vauxhall Corsa pulling up outside, before he allegedly entered through the unlocked front door and walked towards the kitchen entrance.

The court heard how the defendant was recorded wearing black gloves and holding a hammer. While leaning against the hallway wall and looking toward the kitchen, he allegedly said: "Don't suppose you have bank cards and ID?"

[Jacob]

Anything more on the "politically motivated" part?

[Sheilbh]

Not much - the initial investigation was proceeding on burglary lines of inquiry and then counter-terrorism took over following new evidence. He seems to have driven 300 miles from South Yorkshire to her bungalow in Devon. Some talk of him being a bit of a loner online - and very likely left-wing motivation politically. White male so unlikely to be violent Islamist (the last attack on a politician was a violent Islamist) - some reports that this guy appeared to have a list of targets.

Ann Widdecombe was a Tory minister on the right of the party in the 90s and latterly in Reform (she always had a persona as a bit of a battleaxe if that helps).

But he's been charged so reporting restrictions will be in place so there won't be much coverage now except for what is said in court proceedings.

[Josquius]

It's a very strange attack.
When I first heard of her death I met it with "Oh. Guess she was that age" but then it came out it was murder and.... What?
Travelling to the other side of the country to murder someone who was never top dog and is no longer in front line politics. A victim who really isn't who you would think would top a hit list of a violently inclined person on the left....
It's very strange.

Stark contrast to the two MP murders where it was local crazies to blame.
Really curious what comes out in court.

[Sheilbh]

It's so weird - and given that he came in and said have you got any bank cards and then took her wallet I can see why the Devon police initially thought it was just a burglary (an odd one admittedly).

But yeah travelling 300 miles from South Yorkshire to Devon to kill someone. But also that his target was somone who - as you say - was never a top level figure in politics and is now 78 - she still does media and I think she does basically a one woman show touring the country - but not a major political figure. It's very strange. I've not seen any update on this but I did read at the start of this that there was a list of other possible targets

I think it is a bit similar to the Amess murderer in that sense. Not as long a journey but his killer travelled from North London to Southend to attack Amess during his surgery and also reportedly had a list.