THE leader of one of the UK's biggest trade unions has vowed to fight for the livelihoods of Barrow shipyard workers as the Labour Party "tears itself apart".

GMB general secretary Tim Roache spoke to the Evening Mail following the union's ballot in favour of supporting Owen Smith to be leader of the Labour party instead of Jeremy Corbyn, who has divided his party over his left-wing policies, and in particular his stance on the UK's nuclear weapons programme.

The GMB union, which has 1,600 members working in the shipyard, asked its 640,000 members if they wanted to support Mr Smith or Jeremy Corbyn. The vote was 60 per cent in favour of Mr Smith.

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Mr Roache described a visit to the shipyard in June as "one of the best experiences" of his life.

"I thought it was crucial to see just how reliant the nuclear industry is not only to our members in Barrow but to the wider community," Mr Roache said.

So far in the Labour leadership battle, Mr Smith has won support from other unions including the Usdaw and steelworkers' union Community, while Mr Corbyn is being backed by Unite, the Communication Workers Union, Unison, rail unions and construction workers' union Ucatt. Unite represents more than 1,000 white collar shipyard workers in Barrow.

Mr Roache, who revealed he voted for Mr Corbyn in his landslide leadership victory in 2015, denied that the conflict between the interests of some union members and the Labour leader could lead to the party losing its stronghold in Barrow.

However, he added: "The problem is the Labour Party is completely tearing itself apart and has no credibility whatsoever."

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock has faced fierce criticism from some leftwing Labour supporters for speaking against Mr Corbyn. However, Mr Woodcock, alongside neighbouring MP Jamie Reed who represents Copeland, has been unwavering in his opposition to Mr Corbyn because of his opinions on Trident.

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Mr Roache said he would continue to fight on the side of the shipyard workers against Mr Corbyn.

He added: "To go into Barrow and be wowed as I was in June was an incredible experience and I take my hat off to all the men and women who work there."

Around 30,000 GMB members, as well as those in a number of other affiliated unions, will be eligible to take part in the leadership election. Ballot papers will be sent out this month, to be returned next month and the result will be announced at a conference on September 24.