Traitor Gove a distant second as Theresa storms to poll lead

THERESA MAY is storming ahead in the race to become the next Prime Minister, according to an exclusive Mail on Sunday poll.

The Home Secretary is four times as popular as Justice Secretary Michael Gove when Tory voters are asked who would make the best Conservative Party leader.

Mrs May is backed by 59 per cent of Tory voters, with Mr Gove a distant second on just 15 per cent. Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb is close behind him, followed by former Defence Secretary Liam Fox. Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom is last with a lowly four per cent.

If it comes down to a head-to-head battle between Mrs May and Mr Gove, he can expect a thrashing, according to the Survation poll. The Home Secretary is on 77 per cent among Tory voters, with Mr Gove on just 23. The survey suggests Mr Gove’s standing has been badly damaged by his treachery towards former Brexit ally Boris Johnson. In the public’s view, he is rated least trustworthy, least loyal, least attractive and least in touch. West Wales MP Mr Crabb emerges as the ‘dark horse’ from the poll, beating the formidable Mrs May as ‘most attractive’ and ‘most in touch’ contender. Mrs May also commands a strong lead among all voters – with 50 per cent saying she would make the best leader – while Mr Gove, on just 14, is pushed into third behind Mr Crabb on 16.

Mrs May is regarded as the most ‘loyal’, ‘statesmanlike’, ‘trustworthy and ‘intelligent’ of the Conservative line-up. She wins even more comprehensively when Tory voters are asked who they trust on the economy, negotiating Brexit with the EU, national security, immigration and schools and hospitals. She wins all five.

The margins are substantial: on the economy she beats Mr Gove by

54 per cent to 15 per cent; on EU negotiations she wins by 58 to 20 and on immigration by 54 to 20.

Pro Brexit Minister Andrea Leadsom has plenty of ground to make up. In a head-to-head contest, Mrs May beats her among Conservative voters by a margin of six to one. Worryingly for Mrs Leadsom, Mrs May even has a massive 70/30 lead over her among people who voted to Leave the EU.

There is some comfort for Mr Johnson in the survey after his brutal enforced departure from the contest at Mr Gove’s hands. A majority of all voters wish he’d carried on with his challenge and Mr Gove had withdrawn instead.

And there is overwhelming support for Mr Johnson to be given a job in the new Cabinet, whoever wins. Survation interviewed 1,013 people between June 30 and July 1.