Tory voters DO want May to see it through, poll finds

Tory voters oppose the attempt by rebel Conservative MPs to depose Theresa May and do not want Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg – or any of her rivals to replace her.

Nor do they believe that Johnson or Rees-Mogg would fare any better than she has in winning concessions from Brussels.

But there is very little enthusiasm for her Brexit deal among voters, merely a grudging acceptance that it is the best we are likely to be offered.

Tory voters oppose the attempt by rebel Conservative MPs to depose Theresa May and do not want Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg – or any of her rivals to replace her

They are among the findings of a Survation opinion poll conducted for the Daily Mail yesterday as Mr Rees-Mogg led a bid by pro-Brexit Tory MPs to unseat the Prime Minister.

His actions are opposed by Conservative supporters, according to the survey.

Asked who would make the best Prime Minister, Mrs May scores 60 to Mr Johnson’s 31. She beats Mr Rees-Mogg by 58 to 31.

But some of the survey makes grim reading for Mrs May. Her Brexit deal is opposed by 49 per cent of all voters, with only 27 per cent in favour. Tory voters are slightly less hostile, with 42 per cent against and 37 in favour.

Forced to choose between a ‘no deal’ Brexit and Mrs May’s deal, 34 per cent of voters choose the former with 32 per cent in favour of the latter.

Despite the low ratings for her deal, the public has few illusions about the prospects of getting a better one: a total of 36 per cent say that Mrs May’s proposal is ‘better than any other available option’ against 33 who disagree.

A majority of Tory voters say sacking Mrs May would reduce Britain’s chances of getting a better settlement. Voters from other parties strongly disagree. 

The poll provides further evidence that the campaign by Remain supporters for a ‘People’s Vote’ – in effect a second referendum – is not likely to go away. A total of 42 per of voters back a People’s Vote, with 38 per cent against – although Conservative voters are strongly opposed to the idea.