Fresh blow for Theresa May as her popularity plummets with Tory grassroots
2 min read
Theresa May has been dealt a fresh blow after her popularity plunged into negative territory with Tory members.
A devastating poll for the ConservativeHome website put the Prime Minister second bottom among Cabinet members, with a net approval rating of minus 9.5.
That is a remarkable turnaround from the same survey in March, when she enjoyed an approval rating of plus 56.
Only Chancellor Philip Hammond was less popular that Mrs May, with a rating of minus 24.8.
By contrast, Environment Secretary Michael Gove came out top on 72.5, followed by new Home Secretary Sajid Javid on 70.4.
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson came third on 67.7, even though she is not even an MP.
Others enjoying high ratings were Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, who all scored more than 50.
Languishing at the bottom of the table alongside Mrs May were Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes, Chief Whip Julian Smith and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.
Ms Nokes came under fire recently during the Windrush scandal that engulfed her department, while Mr Grayling has been heavily criticised over delays and cancellations on Britain’s railways.
The research comes as Mrs May struggles to unite her warring party over Brexit, with customs union arrangements and the impact on the Northern Irish border the latest issue to divide senior figures.
The Prime Minister also suffered a number of humiliating defeats to the Government’s landmark Brexit legislation as it passed through the House of Lords.
And she is set to face a showdown with MPs when the EU Withdrawal Bill comes back to the Commons next week – with customs union membership expected to be one of the main areas of conflict.
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