Theresa May's popularity with Tory activists has crashed as she struggles to thrash out a compromise on Brexit, according to a poll today.

The Prime Minister had seen her standing with the party's grassroots rally after her strong handling of the Salisbury nerve agent attack.

But it has now tumbled from +56.4 to -9.5 in the latest ConservativeHome survey - meaning she is less popular than every Cabinet member apart from Philip Hammond.

Meanwhile, new Home Secretary Sajid Javid has seen his ranking surge to +70.4, just behind Michael Gove who was in top spot on +72.5.

The Prime Minister had seen her net rating among the party's grassroots rally after her strong handling of the Salisbury nerve agent attack - but it has now slumped again

The grim findings come as Mrs May faces mounting criticism over her handling of Brexit - with anger at her 'negative' approach and negotiations with the EU apparently deadlocked.

Brexit Secretary David Davis also saw his score plunge from +62.8 to +43.5.

But Mr Javid's star appears to be on the rise, gaining a net 10 approval points according to the survey of party members carried out last month.

The new Home Secretary has won plaudits for his response to the Windrush scandal since taking over from Amber Rudd.

Over the weekend former Cabinet minister Priti Patel accused the PM of 'negativity' as she raised doubts about her approach to Brexit.

Mrs Patel told The House magazine that the Conservatives had become 'lazy' and she heard 'too much relentless talking down' of Britain's economy.

Asked if having Remain supporters Mrs May and Chancellor Philip Hammond at the top of government was part of the problem, she said: 'I have to say, originally I thought it wasn't. But I think it's fair to say that there's something in that. There is absolutely something in that.'

Mr Gove, pictured left out running in London yesterday, who has seen a dramatic revival in his fortunes since his leadership campaign flopped in 2016. Sajid Javid (right) has seen his popularity surge since becoming Home Secretary

A separate ConHome poll this week asked grassroots Tory members if and when Theresa May should announce her resignation

A separate ConHome poll this week asked grassroots Tory members if and when Mrs May should announce her resignation.

Some 24 per cent of the 1,188 who responded said she should go immediately - up 11 points on last month - while 45 per cent said she should depart before the country votes again.

Just 37 per cent said Mrs May should not resign, down from 34 per cent last month - with 2 per cent saying they were not sure.

The combined figure of 69 per cent wanting Mrs May to quit by 2022 is nearly as high as the 71 per cent recorded in the aftermath of the disastrous snap election last June.