SWINDON Conservatives reacted to their main political opposition splintering.

Several Labour MPs quit the party yesterday to form a new Independent Group with their own distinct set of values and goals.

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson was quick to react to the announcement on Twitter.

Moments after the resignations, he tweeted: “The actions of Corbyn and his cult followers are destroying the once proud, pragmatic and strong Labour Party - raw emotion crystal clear in these speeches.

“Genuinely jaw dropping political moment - will decent rank & file Labour members follow?”

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland was worried about what effect this would have on the wider state of British politics.

Mr Buckland told the Adver: “If reasonable and sensible people like Matthew Courtliff are leaving the Labour Party, it’s a clear sign that the party is moving to the extreme left which is not good for our politics.”