Radulovic said of the move that he was “deeply saddened” but had been placed in an “impossible position”.

“I cannot support and will not support another centrist government intent on destroying local democracy and dictating national policy from a high pedestal,” he said.

He also criticised plans to reorganise local government, which could see district and borough councils scrapped.

“I believe the concentration of power in the hands of fewer people and the abolition of local democracy through the current proposals of super councils is nothing short of a dictatorship, where local elected members, local people, local residents will have no say over the type and level of service provided in their area,” he said.

The group said 100 local grassroots members had also left Labour.