Johnson top choice of Tory members to replace most unpopular PM ever

THE majority of Conservative Party members believe Liz Truss should resign, according to a poll.

When asked who should replace her, Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, was the most popular choice, with 32 per cent opting for him while 23 per cent plumped for Rishi Sunak, the former chancellor.

The Yougov survey, conducted on Monday and yesterday, found that 55 per cent believe Ms Truss should step down.

The results are the latest blow to a leader who is battling to cling on to her premiership as her own MPS continue to manoeuvre against her.

The survey, which questioned 530 Tory party members, found that just 38 per cent said they want Ms Truss to stay in post.

These are similar numbers to those Boris Johnson received from the membership on the eve of his departure from Downing Street, when 59 per cent wanted him to go and only 36 per cent wanted him to stay.

Ten per cent of Tory party members said their preferred prime minister, if Ms Truss resigned, would be Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, followed by Penny Mordaunt, with nine per cent and Kemi Badenoch on eight per cent.

Seven per cent opted for Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who is now widely viewed as the de facto prime minister after scaling back the mini-budget.

When it comes to her standing among the general electorate, Ms Truss is now viewed “unfavourably” by 80 per cent of voters. She has a net favourability rating of minus 70, which represents a 14 point drop overall since last week and makes her the most unpopular leader ever tracked by Yougov.