Appledore Shipyard could

be under threat from an incoming Conservative Government, claimed union leaders

yesterday.

 

The Conservative Shadow

defence secretary, Liam Fox, revealed that he would investigate “break clauses”

to get out of the £3.5billion aircraft carrier project, which Appledore Shipyard

is working on.

 

The surprise came as union

leaders held separate meetings with the representatives from the three main

political parties.

 

John Dolan, from the GMB

union, said: “This project is absolutely essential. It will support

shipbuilding in the UK

for the next eight to ten years. Without it, the industry will collapse.”

"What we heard from Liam Fox was worse than we had expected. We knew that

they would not guarantee the carriers, but we did not expect that they would

actively seek out break clauses on day one of government."

 

Adam Symons, Liberal

Democrat Prospective MP for Torridge and West Devon,

where Appledore Shipyard is based, said: “I am horrified to contemplate what

could happen if the Conservatives decide to pull the plug at Appledore.

Hundreds of skilled jobs and apprenticeships for young people are under threat,

just when Appledore Shipyard is recruiting more staff and gaining orders.”

 

“The decision by the

Conservatives to investigate break clauses in the contract is a smack in the

face to local workers. I think the Conservative MP for the area should back

Appledore Shipyard squarely, and get assurances from Liam Fox that the carrier

project will not be abandoned and the livelihoods of hundreds of local people

with it. Without these assurances, his support is meaningless.”

 

“Having visited Appledore

Shipyard recently, I know the importance that the facility has in terms of the

local economy and increasing skills in the local area. I will be backing

Appledore Shipyard all the way!”

Yesterday, Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick

Harvey, MP for North Devon, restated the

party's support for building the carriers.