MORE working-class MPs are “crucial” to the survival of the Labour Party, RMT leader Mick Cash said yesterday.

Addressing train drivers’ union Aslef, at its annual conference in Southend, Mr Cash referred to the Network Rail strike as “two fingers” to the Tories’ new strike threshold plans, with 80 per cent voting for action.

“One of the lessons of our movement is that when the Tories come along to attack us, we overcome them,” he said.

But he was not complacent about the future challenges of the trade union movement.

“Getting ordinary working people into the House of Commons is crucial,” said Mr Cash.

“I can’t see in my time as general secretary that we will get back into the Labour Party. Because we have a huge problem with the party that was born out of our movement endorsing policies that work against this movement.”

Referring to the two unions’ history, which has not always been fraternal, Mr Cash added: “Going forward, it’s important we work together.”