Tories worried about future of grammars

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The findings come as the Tory leader flies back from holiday determined to reassert his authority on his party in the face of a growing rebellion over grammar schools.

The Conservative leader is insisting he will press ahead with his "modernising" policies in order to "get the Conservatives in the right place".

However, a survey by the Daily Mail's sister paper, the Evening Standard, revealed the scale of opposition to his education policy-of hailing Labour's city academies, while broadly rejecting any new grammar schools.

In a direct challenge to Mr Cameron, party officials in the region overwhelmingly said they wanted grammar schools retained and, where possible, expanded. Former Tory leader Michael Howard is said to be offering private support to MPs revolting over grammar schools.

The survey of party members showed widespread disappointment at the way the grammar debate had been handled and concerns over the future of existing grammars.

Councillor John Gover of Ilford South said: "My view is that where grammar schools exist and parents want them to continue, they should do so."

Councillor Colin Nolan, of Leyton and Wanstead, added: "The two local grammar schools, Ilford County High and Woodford County High benefit the whole area and are a beacon of the community."

Other members came out in support of shadow schools minister Nick Gibb who proposed last week that the need to build more grammars was addressed on a case-by-case basis.

In a fresh challenge to Mr Cameron, Tory Right-wingers in the Cornerstone Group are calling for the tax-funded NHS to be replaced by a health insurance health system - a proposal recently rejected by shadow chancellor George Osborne.

In a further blow to the party leadership, an opinion poll showed that Mr Cameron's personal standing has been damaged by the row, with voters saying they thought Gordon Brown a more competent leader.