Grammar schools infighting costs Cameron's standing among voters

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A new opinion poll shows the Tory leader's image has taken a battering in light of his opposition to new grammar schools, especially among his own party faithful.

But despite the controversy surrounding the decision, the party's standing has not been dented by the fierce debate on secondary school education.

A Populus survey found support for the Tories has fallen just one percentage point to 36 per cent in the last three weeks, while Labour's has not shifted from 33 per cent.

The Liberal Democrats remain on 17 per cent, with 'others' up one to 14 per cent.

But Mr Cameron, who has faced a significant revolt over his stance - including the resignation of shadow minister Graham Brady - saw his personal ratings sink.

The poll, conducted for The Times, shows the number of voters seeing Mr Cameron as strong has fallen 44 per cent to 37 per cent since last October.

In a further boost to Mr Cameron's likely opponent at the next election, Gordon Brown, the survey found that 63 per cent of the public found the Prime Minister elect a strong leader - rising by 12 per cent in the past six months.

Of greater concern to Mr Cameron is the way he is perceived by his own party.

The number of Tory voters regarding him as strong has dropped from 69 per cent to 58 per cent over the same period, while the percentage of those believing he would make a good Prime Minister has shrunk from 76 per cent to 66 per cent.

The poll also found support for the opening of new grammar schools across the country stands at just 36 per cent amongst the general public.

This figure increases to just over half (52 per cent) for Tory voters, with only 46 per cent backing Mr Cameron's new policy.

Some 60 per cent of the 1,500 adults polled, said they supported the introduction of setting and streaming in every secondary school.

In a boost for Mr Cameron, 47 per cent of the public continue to view him as charismatic, more than double the amount as Mr Brown who only polled 20 per cent.