Control of the Isle of Wight Council could change hands in the coming weeks.

The Conservative group leader says talks have been taking place amidst calls for a coalition cabinet — where councillors from multiple groups would hold senior positions.

Throwing his hat into the ring, Cllr Joe Robertson, the Conservative group leader, confirmed discussions are underway with Empowering Islanders (EI) and other councillors.

In recent weeks, the ruling Alliance administration's cabinet has shrunk by two members — one quit and another wasn't allowed to keep his position after he left the group — leading to a reshuffle of responsibilities.

The authority is currently run by Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, with seven cabinet members.

Cllr Robertson said he has always said if he were to become leader he would seek to appoint a coalition cabinet.

He said: "Councillors do not need to be in the same political group as me to be in a cabinet led by me.

"I am confident there are very able and willing councillors from outside the Conservative Group who would serve in a coalition cabinet, so I would be able to deliver on that promise."

Cllr Robertson joined calls from EI to hold an extraordinary meeting of the Isle of Wight Council, to determine if members had confidence in the authority’s current leaders.

If not, a new leader and deputy leader would be sought and a potential new coalition cabinet established.

EI said a new leadership would provide financial and regulatory stability and would embrace all those across the chamber with experience.

It said the current administration is attempting to run the council in an 'increasingly fragile mode' while rejecting talent from other parties and 'piling responsibilities onto a few members who were already significantly overburdened'.

Cllr Roberston said the situation was 'plainly untenable' and 'it was bad for the authority and bad for the Island'.

The Alliance has lost four councillors in the last month and is now the second largest group on the authority with 13 members.

Cllr Chris Jarman, EI group leader and ex-cabinet member, said there was a lot of support for the cross-party working together and it had been an objective of the group when it started.