Boris Johnson would wipe out Ed Miliband's lead over the Conservatives in the opinion polls if the London Mayor were to replace David Cameron, according to the latest snapshot.
The YouGov survey came as Mr Cameron sought to build bridges with his Tory backbenches by appointing right-winger John Hayes as his eyes and ears in the Commons in an unexpected mini-reshuffle.
Mr Hayes, who was the Energy Minister, had clashed heavily with Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat Secretary of State, on wind farms.
He defied his departmental boss by insisting no more onshore wind farms would be built beyond those already planned for. This went against Coalition policy and, such was Mr Davey's exasperation with his Tory colleague, he enquired with Whitehall lawyers to see if it was possible to strip Mr Hayes of some of his ministerial duties. What also annoyed LibDems was that Mr Cameron failed to discipline the Lincolnshire MP.
The Prime Minister wants the ebullient Mr Hayes to play the "greybeard" role as a senior, respected and trusted link between him and the parliamentary party. This was previously undertaken by Scots-born Michael Fallon, who, while keeping his ministerial brief at the Department for Business, will also take over Mr Hayes's previous role as Energy Minister.
Coalition sources said this appointment would give Energy "a stronger business focus", and denied suggestions it signalled a shift in the Conservative approach to wind farms.
Mr Davey issued a diplomatically worded statement, insisting he and Mr Hayes had "worked well together as a team". He welcomed Mr Fallon to the department, adding: "He will help to cement the links I've been making across Government"
Mr Hayes's change of job to Minister Without Portfolio was being presented as a promotion for the frontbencher, who will be at the heart of the Downing Street machine and will attend the Prime Minister's daily 8.30am and 4pm meetings.
However, it will be seen by Westminster-watchers as an attempt by Mr Cameron to steady nerves among Tory backbenchers spooked by poor poll ratings and the sluggish economic recovery.
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