Mr Sunak was a popular figure in the Cabinet during and after the pandemic, often being one the three most popular ministers, according to ConservativeHome polling.

He was often second only to Liz Truss, seen as a rival to potentially replace Boris Johnson. The Foreign Secretary topped the website’s Cabinet League Table in December.

Ms Truss, along with Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, has seen her favorability ratings within the party soar as the UK adopted an strong stance on the war in Ukraine.

Mr Wallace topped this month’s polling by ConservativeHome as the most popular member of the Cabinet, with a net satisfaction rating of +85.5. Last month, he distanced himself from any potential leadership bid, saying his job was “the best job in Government”.

Ms Patel has seen her popularity plunge in recent months following a series of high-profile failings by the Home Office, including over Channel migrant crossings and the Ukrainian refugee effort.

The most recent polling gave her a rating of -13.6, making her the only member of the Cabinet viewed more unfavourably than favourably by the Tory membership.

December saw Mr Johnson fall to his lowest rating following revelations over “partygate”, with -33.8. This month he sits roughly in the middle, on 33.1.