A series of defence industry shop stewards have publicly backed Owen Smith’s leadership campaign on the basis he can protect manufacturing jobs threatened by Brexit and restore Labour as an effective Opposition.

The group of 29 trade union reps and convenors said Smith would defend “jobs, industry and skills” and highlighted his demands for a second EU referendum once the detail of Brexit has been agreed in principle.

In article for LabourList the trade unionists provide a boost for Smith’s bid to be seen as the pragmatic candidate by echoing his “radical and credible” campaign slogan and outline a series of pledges he has made which are designed to protect British manufacturing as well as restoring the party’s weakened relationship with parts of its working class base.

The signatories include staff from some of Britain’s biggest manufacturers located in the industrial heartlands, such as Rolls Royce, in Derby, and BAE Systems, in Barrow and Portsmouth.

“The Labour Party is at a crossroads”, the group writers.

“We cannot ignore reality – we need to be radical but we also need to be credible – capable of winning the support of the British people. We need an effective Opposition and we need a Labour Government to put policies into practice that will defend our members’ and their families’ interests. That’s why we are backing Owen.’

Corbyn, who remains the favourite to win, prompted dismay among much of the manufacturing base when he demanded that then prime minister David Cameron immediately invoke Article 50 to leave the EU on the day after the shock referendum result in June.

The Labour leader later appeared to row back from the demand when he faced Smith in the first hustings event earlier this month – a move which provoked a heated exchange with his rival.

The incumbent is due to speak with Diane Abbott at a rally in Manor Park, Newham in East London tonight.