BARROW MP John Woodcock has joined forces with a shipyard lobby group to clarify the position on Trident renewal in the wake of what they describe as “red herrings” being peddled by the Scottish Nationalist Party. 

This morning, 232 Labour MPs found glossy submarine-shaped Trident renewal information cards hanging from the doors of their Westminster offices. 

The cards had been placed there overnight by Mr Woodcock and members of his team ahead of today’s Commons debate on Trident which has been triggered by the SNP. 

The Keep Our Future Afloat Campaign in Barrow was also part of the scheme. 

On one side of the “submarines” was a list of the "red herrings", while the reverse carried bullet points outlining what Mr Woodcock says are the realities of the deterrent renewal programme. 

Mr Woodcock said: “I am proud to have been able to champion the successor programme both in parliament and in Furness. 

"The majority of MPs want it to go ahead so we can be kept safe in a volatile world. 

“There is enough support for successor to be given the go-ahead when MPs vote on the main gate decision next year. 

“Despite this, the SNP has spent a lot of energy spreading misinformation about what the programme will mean for the UK and we thought it was about time the record was put straight.” 

According to the door hanger, among the SNP “red herrings” is the claim that shipyard workers could be found other employment if the programme is abandoned.

The submarine cards state that there is no substitute for the thousands of jobs supported by the Trident replacement programme. 

The cards also refute the idea that the deterrent will never be used.

They say the deterrent is in use every day, making it less likely that others will use nuclear blackmail against the UK or Nato allies. 

The glossy illustrations also state that Labour is in favour of an independent nuclear deterrent, delivered through continuous at-sea deterrence. 

Stuart Klosinski of Kofac said: “In the context of Monday’s Strategic Defence Review confirmation of the intention to proceed with the four successor submarines, Kofac fully supports the endeavours that John is taking. 

“The focus of our joint-campaign is to make it clear that the decision will affect the whole supply chain and the decision firms around the UK which rely on the submarine programme.”