Three more councillors have resigned from the Labour Party in Dudley as the fallout over the government’s welfare cuts continues.

Councillors Peter Drake, Karl Denning and Matt Cook confirmed they had quit the party and would sit as independents on Dudley Council in the West Midlands.

It came after the local Labour group’s former leader, Pete Lowe, stepped down from his leadership role and from the party on Tuesday.

The resignations follow discontent within Labour over the government’s plans to reform the benefits system, which were announced in Parliament on Tuesday.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Mr Drake, who represents the Coseley ward, accused the government and the national Labour leadership of “attacking the people they are meant to represent”.

“They’re undermining our country, and we cannot defend that. Principles matter,” he said.

Mr Denning, who represents Castle and Priory ward, also posted his resignation on Facebook. “This morning, I have resigned the Labour Whip and will be standing as an independent in the Castle & Priory Ward where I continue to serve.

“I wish nothing but good will towards the Dudley Labour Group, a good bunch of people doing the best they can with what they have.”

Mr Cook, who represents the Brierley Hill and Wordsley South ward, later changed his Facebook page to say “Independent Councillor”.

Their resignations leave the Conservatives with 35 seats, Labour with 26, the Liberal Democrats with four and seven independents on the council.

Mr Lowe said he had spoken to the other three councillors and discussed their intention to form an independent group with the other independent members on Dudley Council.

Speaking of their resignations, Mr Lowe said: “It’s surprising news but not totally unconnected. I’m aware there has been a deep disconnect within the Labour group for a period of time now.”

He said he could “never have envisaged” leaving the party before, which he had been a member of for 41 years.

“It’s been a heartbreaking decision for me to make. I can only imagine it’s been a similar decision for Matt, Karl and Peter as well,” he added.

After Mr Lowe wrote to Prime Minister Keir Starmer outlining his concerns, a West Midlands Labour spokesperson said his decision to quit the party was “disappointing”.

“Labour inherited a broken welfare system from the Conservatives, which risked a generation of young people being written off and millions of people who want to work not getting the support they need,” they said.

“Labour will deliver a social security system that is fit for the future.”

Dudley Council was left under no overall control after last year’s local elections but is run by the Conservative group with Tory councillor Patrick Harley as leader, following a deal struck after the vote.