AN EAST Lancashire MP has been given a key job by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn as he tries to hammer out a policy on replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system.

Kate Hollern, MP for Blackburn with Darwen, has been appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary to shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle.

This junior post means she will act as the Garston and Halewood MP’s ‘eyes and ears’ in the House of Commons.

A key part of Mrs Hollern’s job will be communicating MPs’ views on defence policy to Ms Eagle and Mr Corbyn.

She will have to explain the development of Labour’s defence policy to MPs who are deeply split over nuclear weapons.

Mr Corbyn supports unilateral nuclear disarmament, opposes replacing Trident and said he would never press the nuclear button as Prime Minister.

Pendle Tory MP Andrew Stephenson said Mrs Hollern had a ‘very difficult’ job. He highlighted the many East Lancashire jobs dependent on the defence industry, notably at Rolls-Royce aero-engine factories in Barnoldswick and the military aircraft factories at Samlesbury and Warton owned by BAE Systems, which would make the Trident submarines in Barrow.

Mrs Hollern said: “It is going to be a very challenging and exciting job.

“We have a major review of every aspect of defence policy including nuclear weapons. This is a very important issue with very divided views among MPs and party members.

“Maria and I want to make sure this is a full and open consultation.

“I will be talking to party members and the public in Blackburn about this.

“When I was younger I was very anti-nuclear weapons. Times change and I support the need for some kind of nuclear deterrent with a resurgent Russia and more nuclear-armed powers.

“This whole consultation process about Trident, its cost and our defence priorities will help me make up my own mind.

“We have to end up with a coherent policy that is credible to voters.”

Mr Stephenson said: “I don’t envy Kate.”