Fewer than a fifth of Tory members believe that Rishi Sunak could win the party a majority at the next general election, according to a new poll.
The survey by YouGov found the Conservative faithful were doubtful of a major electoral success.
The figures for Mr Sunak – the former chancellor – are most stark, with just 19 per cent of those polled suggesting the “most likely” result after the next election would be a Conservative majority in the Commons.
Thirty-three per cent thought the most likely scenario was a hung parliament with a Tory-led government while 23 opted for a Labour-led government and 14 per cent for a Labour majority – the first in over a decade.
Earlier, a YouGov poll has put Liz Truss well ahead of her rival Rishi Sunak in support from party members, with her lead increasing to 34 points.
Mr Sunak appears to have lost significant ground as 60 per cent of the party members polled between 29 July and 2 August say they intend to vote for the foreign secretary.
