A FORMER Conservative leadership contender and Coronation swordbearer visited fundraisers and grassroots supporters in Malvern.

House of Commons leader Penny Mordaunt MP visited the West Worcestershire constituency to speak to local Conservative supporters.

Mrs Mordaunt is MP for Portsmouth North, running to lead the party last summer and rose to global fame with her pivotal role bearing a sword in the Coronation.

The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP is Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons. 

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin and Conservative Association chairman Ian Daly hosted the Cabinet member at Madresfield Court.

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She spoke about her roles in Westminster, as well as her strong support for Harriett’s work both locally and in Parliament.

Mrs Baldwin said: “I welcome Penny taking this opportunity to meet with grassroots Conservative members here in West Worcestershire.

“She spoke passionately about our great country and the plans to deliver the Prime Minister’s five priorities.

“Penny and I worked closely in the then Department for International Development and we continue to champion women and girls’ rights globally.

“We share many common priorities and I look forward to working closely with her as we work towards developing a manifesto to fight the next General Election.”

Penny Mordaunt was appointed Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons on September 6, 2022.

Previously she was Minister of State at the Department for International Trade from September 16, 2021 to September 6, 2022. She was the department’s ministerial disability champion.

Penny Mordaunt has been a Member of Parliament since 2010.

Her previous roles include Paymaster General (2020),  Secretary of State for Defence (2019) - the first woman to hold the post, Secretary of State for International Development (2017), Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work (2016), Minister for the Armed Forces (2015) - the first woman to hold this position - and Minister of Local Government (2014)