Davis and Davidson are the grassroots’ top Tories

DAVID Davis and Ruth Davidson have emerged as the postelection darlings of the Tory grassroots, a survey revealed yesterday.

The Brexit Secretary was named the most effective Cabinet minister in a poll of activists by the influential website Conservative Home.

Mr Davis was given a net satisfaction rating of 78.4 per cent, ahead of his nearest rivals Michael Gove and Sir Michael Fallon, who both received just under 58 per cent.

It will cement his position as the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Theresa May as Tory leader. In the wake of her election setback, the Prime Minister’s approval rating fell from 89.1 per cent to -26.1 – the biggest drop ever recorded by the survey.

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson was the most popular senior Tory, with a rating of 84.5 per cent.

However, she is not considered an immediate contender for the party leadership as she is not an MP.

Other leading contenders to succeed Mrs May saw their ratings slide, with Boris Johnson falling from 47.9 per cent to 38.8.