PERSHORE’s MP Harriet Baldwin welcomed Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt to the county as he kicked off his bid to become leader of the Conservative Party and the next Prime Minister.
Mr Hunt spoke to Mrs Baldwin, local party members and councillors before taking in a whistlestop tour of Tenbury including visiting the town’s chocolate factory and even getting a quick snip at the hairdressers.
The Foreign Secretary agreed to the visit to start his bid for leadership after securing a place in the final two last Thursday (June 20).
Mrs Baldwin had backed Mr Hunt since the start of the campaign and said she was delighted he chose to visit West Worcestershire to start his campaign.
She said: “I’ve worked closely with Jeremy in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and I have seen his strengths, both as a Minister and a leader, at first hand.
“I asked him if he will put his backing behind flood defences for the town if he becomes Prime Minister, and he also offered his clear support for a return of the post office to Tenbury.
“The feedback locally was very impressive and I hope he continues to make great progress as he talks to party members across the country about why he is the right choice to unite the party, the country and deliver Brexit.”
A series of hustings and TV debates between Mr Hunt and the bookmakers’ favourite Boris Johnson are taking place between now and July 22 when the new Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party is expected to be announced.
The result will be decided by the 160,000 Conservative and Unionist Party members following a postal ballot.
