TRADE unionists representing defence workers today (Thursday, February 25) made a strong call for renewing the Trident nuclear missile system, arguing tens of thousands of jobs depended on it.

Leaders of the GMB, meeting in Newcastle, made it clear they oppose plans to scrap the nuclear deterrent.

The meeting came the day after Labour deputy leader Tom Mr Watson revealed he had personally told David Cameron he would back the Tory Government in any Commons vote over the construction of four new ‘Successor’ submarines.

Incoming GMB general secretary Tim Roache told the workers today he met with Corbyn last week to discuss the issue.

“I said to him 'Jeremy do you really want to be the Labour leader that presided over the demise of whole communities like we would see in Barrow and Faslane and elsewhere else - just as Thatcher did to the communities in the mining dispute in the 80s?'"

He added: “I give you this utter assurance, that we will fight to our last breath to defend every single one of your jobs in this industry – and we must push this Government for an early decision.

Outgoing general secretary Sir Paul Kenny said said renewing Trident had been Labour policy for a number of years and it was "irresponsible" to talk about scrapping it without addressing the implications for more than 50,000 jobs at stake.

He said: "I am absolutely clear and unashamed to stand up for the defence of our members jobs in the Trident renewal programme.”

North Durham MP Kevan Jones said: “Successor is not just about the defence of this country.

"The spin-off from it will have an impact on the skills and manufacturing base in a whole host of other industries not related to defence."

Mr Corbyn is due to address an anti-Trident protest in London on Saturday.