LABOUR bosses have accused their political enemies of trying to split the party by launching a Twitter account which appeared to represent a group of unhappy members calling for change.

The group, called Colchester Independent Labour Group, began tweeting on Sunday and appears to criticise the branch's leadership and states party bosses have "spent too long in coalition with the Liberal Democrats".

In a number of statements on the account, it also criticises the "majority" of Labour councillors as "not fit for purpose" and who do not stand for the traditional social values of the party.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

It adds: "They seem to care more about themselves and their futures, such as having themselves placed on charitable and school boards with the intention of getting experience to finally step up to similar well paid positions, instead of doing the job we employ them to do.

"Whilst they continue to act this way, we, along with others in the party, cannot and will not support certain councillors in the upcoming elections."

Responding to a number of questions from other Twitter users, the group said: "We have elections over the next three years and if losing a Labour council for one year is needed to get our local party back to its social roots then so be it, as we will fight tooth and nail afterwards to get a Labour council back in power over the next two years of elections."

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

But Colchester group leader Tim Young said: "We do not believe this is the work of any Labour Party members.

"We believe it is someone from the other side, most likely from the Conservative Party, who is seeing we are accruing votes ahead of May [Colchester Council elections] and trying to cause trouble

"We have had a look at how people who we believe it may be tweet but there is noone within the party who holds those views or has expressed those views.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

"Every member knows we are an open and transparent party and people can come to us with any problems.

"But if it does turn out to be a party member, there may be consequences but we do not believe it is - most of us are just ignoring it."

The party's regional headquarters has been notified.

A statement from the new group read: "There are many good people in the Labour Party who want the best for Colchester and the surrounding areas and a few of these will be candidates in upcoming elections, these people will get our full support.

"There will be those revelling in this, as is shown by Conservative and Liberal Democrat following we have, and who will say it's a divide caused by Jeremy Corbyn but it isn't. It is a divide caused by Tim Young and certain other councillors.

"We find it utterly contemptible that those chosen to represent us at council level, are at the beck and call of the Lib Dems and are seemingly Lib Dem yes men.

"A strong Labour would stand up and fight against things the party believe in but local leadership are so desperate to be in power they won't risk the coalition."