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Ruth Davidson has surged in front of Cabinet ministers to become the Conservative most seen as a good future Prime Minister, an exclusive poll reveals today.

The gay, kick-boxing Scottish Tory leader has even overtaken ex-mayor Boris Johnson among Londoners despite having no seat at Westminster and no Cabinet position.

Some 29 per cent of the public said she “has what it takes to be a good Prime Minister”, found the Ipsos MORI survey for the Evening Standard.

She was first among Conservative supporters, 39 per cent of whom agree she has what it takes.

She also beats the leading Cabinet ministers in almost every key voter group, including men, women, young voters, the middle aged and professionals.

The Remainer was rated highest by Londoners, with 43 per cent, despite being based in Edinburgh. Former Mayor of London Mr Johnson came second in the capital, with 22 per cent.

Mr Johnson’s backing for Brexit could have cost him support in his home city. Ms Davidson, who last Thursday revealed she is pregnant , is being urged by many Conservatives to seek a seat at Westminster so she can contest the leadership.

Some even want to change party rules so she could run without having to win a by-election. Some 17 per cent of the public thought Mr Johnson had what it takes to be a good PM, which is down from 32 per cent in 2015. His score was 26 per cent among Conservatives.

But 72 per cent thought he was not good prime ministerial material. Environment Secretary Mr Gove, despite earning rave reviews for making a success of green policies such as banning plastics, scored 12 per cent.

Six in 10 said he did not have what it takes.

Only six per cent thought Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson would make a good premier, while 34 per cent disagreed.

Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos MORI, said: “Ruth Davidson’s success in Scotland is being noticed south of the border too — even among Labour supporters, who are much less negative about her than about many other Conservative politicians

But many still don’t know much about her — which side of the fence they fall is likely to be key.”