REBEL former Ukip councillors could join a rainbow alliance on Southend Council to keep out the Tories.

Three former Ukip councillors look likely to share power with Labour, Lib Dems and Independents in a new ruling joint administration.

Independent group leader Ron Woodley described talks with Labour leader Ian Gilbert, Lib Dem leader Graham Longley and James Moyies, who leads the group of former Ukip councillors, as “positive” on Monday.

Mr Woodley, who looks set to be confirmed as council leader again tomorrow, said: “The four of us are talking. It’s moving in the right direction, but it’s not quite finalised.

“Things are looking very positive, but Graham and Ian will have to talk to their groups.”

Labour, the Lib Dems and Independents, who have run the authority as a joint administration for the past year, lost overall control of the council after the Tories gained three seats in the local election last Thursday.

With 22 councillors, the Conservatives are the largest group on the council, but are four seats short of a majority.

A new four-way joint administration, involving Mr Moyies and fellowUkip rebels Lawrence Davies and Tino Callaghan, would have 26 members – a majority of one.

Alternatively, the trio, who were suspended from Ukip activity after falling out with fellow Ukip councillor Floyd Waterworth, could agree not to block a joint administration budget.

Labour and the Lib Dems ruled out working with Ukip after the elections, in May last year for ideological reasons, but may agree if all three leave the anti-EU party.

Mr Woodley said the name of the rebel group would have to be resolved.

The Conservatives will try to build an alternative coalition, but if the Ukip rebels join the joint administration the Tories cannot make the numbers work and may not even contest for the council leadership.

John Lamb, who was reappointed as Conservative group leader after the party’s AGM on Saturday, said: “If those three are no longer Ukip, they should be part of the Independent group, but their hearts are still Ukip.

“Labour and the Lib Dems said they wouldn’t work with Ukip, but now it looks like they might.

“They change their colours as and when it suits them and their principles go out the window.”

The leadership of the council is likely to be decided when councillor Andrew Moring is inaugurated as mayor tomorrow.