The Home Secretary only had 2 percent support from those polled by website ConservativeHome three months ago, but now has 22 percent support from the 1,107 votes cast by Tory supporters.
Mr Gove, the Environment Secretary and the arch-Brexiteer backbencher Mr Rees-Mogg are now ranked second and fourth respectively whereas Boris Johnson is only in fifth place.
The astonishing poll and turnaround for the Health Secretary comes after reports senior figures in Theresa May’s Government are on maneuvers in preparation for a leadership battle.
However, two senior Tories have urged ministers to fall in line behind the Prime Minister or risk putting on hold talks with the European Union.
Sir Graham Brady – who chairs the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservatives – wrote on the Observer: “The danger of disunity at the top of the party is not just that it makes the Prime Minister’s job more difficult in negotiations with Brussels, and therefore puts at risk the good Brexit deal that is in reach.
“It also gives an impression of division to the country.
“Electorates these days are volatile, but one thing is certain: they do not vote for divided parties.
“They rejected decisively the divided Tory party in 1997.
Mon, March 12, 2018
