Poll says British public are behind new premier

Theresa May enters Downing Street with more than half of voters thinking she has what it takes to be a good prime minister.

David Camerons ratings hit a new low as he quit No10. Picture: Getty

The public support for the new PM came as satisfaction ratings for David Cameron and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn fell to their lowest since they took office.

Some 55 per cent of voters – and 81 per cent of Conservative supporters – questioned by Ipsos Mori said Mrs May had what it takes to be PM, compared to just 18 per cent for former rival Andrea Leadsom, who pulled out of the leadership race on Monday.

One-time Brexiteers’ darling Boris Johnson fared little better, with just 21 per cent of voters – and 23 per cent of Tories – saying he has the qualities needed to take the top job. Some 70 per cent said he did not, up sharply from 52 per cent in July last year.

On his final day in office, just 28 per cent of voters said they were satisfied with Mr Cameron’s performance.