Prime Minister David Cameron has not taken his party with him on the EU, a new survey suggests.

David Cameron has the the support of just one in four of his constituency party chairmen, a new survey of the Conservative grass roots has suggested.

The Prime Minister - who has already lost six top ministers and Boris Johnson to the Brexit camp - has left 49 per cent of the local party chiefs asked dissatisfied with his Brussels renegotiation.

The survey will add to views that Mr Johnson has enhanced his chances of taking over as Tory leader and Prime Minister by backing Brexit.

The BBC World This Weekend programme approached Tory constituency associations with a sitting MP about their views on the renegotiation and the referendum planned for June 23.

One who said he would be voting against the Prime Minister said those backing remain were 'wrong' about the EU.

They told the programme: 'We are not in control of our own destiny and laws. We lose a lot of money to the EU and would be better off keeping it for ourselves.

'I am surprised my MP is voting to remain. He consulted no-one and is wrong.'

Of the 128 chairmen who responses on their voting intention 54, or 42 per cent said they would definitely vote to leave while only 31, 24 per cent, said they would back remain.

Some 42 chairmen, or 34 per cent, said they had not made up their mind.

One of them told the BBC: 'My heart says out but my head says is it the right time? The feeling I get from my association members is that the majority are for out.

'I and the majority of members are not happy with the deal struck by The Prime Minister. He hardly lived up to Maggie’s legacy showing his preference for staying in at an early stage.

'As a negotiating strategy that must have been a mistake. He should have bought himself a handbag. It might have stiffened his resolve and reminded him of the act he had to follow.'

Asked about the deal negotiated by Mr Cameron in Brussels last month, 124 were prepared to comment.

Boris Johnson, pictured leaving the BBC today, could be boosted by the findings after he chose to reject the Prime Minister's deal and back Brexit

Some 61 of them, or 49 per cent, were unhappy. One said: 'It wasn’t a deal. If you ask for nothing and you get even less then it’s less.

'Why would anyone want to stay? I hate all the scare stories put about by ‘remain’. It suggests the country is full of incompetence and that’s appalling.'

Mr Cameron's work was endorsed by 40 chairmen. One said: 'I think he came back with the best deal he could. It was never going to be a good deal.'

Mr Cameron has announced he will not contest the next general election and is seen as likely to resign immediately if he loses the referendum.

Mr Johnson claimed today it was 'cobblers' to suggest Mr Cameron would have to quit following a Brexit vote but the remarks will do little to dampen speculation about the Prime Minister's future.

A poll of Tory members this week found Mr Johnson was the choice of 43 per cent of Tory party members - far ahead of Chancellor George Osborne, the long term favourite to succeed Mr Cameron.