Opposition parties have had their say after a Worcestershire MP announced their intention to defend their seat.

West Worcestershire’s Harriett Baldwin confirmed she will be standing at the next general election.

Mrs Baldwin will be aiming to defend a majority of 24,000 votes but this has not deterred opposition parties, who remain confident they can claim the seat.

Dan Boatright, Liberal Democrat county councillor for Pershore, said: “After 12 years of Harriett Baldwin we have schools in disrepair and underfunded, ambulances queueing round the hospital, an economy in tatters and confidence in our elected politicians at an all-time low.

“We are not surprised by Harriett Baldwin's decision to defend her seat as she would consider this record a success.

“We will work hard to show that the Lib Dems are the alternative. We came second last time, and we will fight to win.

“If you just look at the Lib Dem by-election wins over the past twelve months, this majority doesn't faze us!”

Councillor Boatright confirmed that the party will decide soon who they will choose to represent them at the general election, currently scheduled for late 2024.

“As for who will run... we don't want to ruin Harriett's moment in the press!” he said.

“We're a democratic party so chose a candidate through a selection process that then has to be ratified at a meeting (on Friday). We'll have an announcement for you then I'm sure!”

West Worcestershire Labour has shown similar confidence following Mrs Baldwin’s announcement, stating it makes “no difference” who stands for the Conservative Party.

Secretary Martin Willis said: “The Tories have crashed the economy, rubbished green investment, increased child and family poverty, brought our NHS to its knees and undermined our reputation abroad so it makes no difference who stands for them in the general election.

“Labour’s huge lead in the polls is big enough for us to win West Worcestershire.

“Labour is determined to build a fairer, greener more dynamic Britain and we have already started campaigning.”

Mrs Baldwin was first elected to the West Worcestershire seat in 2010 and has increased her majority at every poll since.

On her achievements thus far, she said: “I’m immensely proud that in my term as local MP we have built a new community hospital in Malvern, the new Worcestershire Parkway train station, the doubling of the Carrington Road bridge and six impressive flood protection schemes,” she added.

“There is, however, still much more to do.”