Jacob Rees-Mogg hints he would turn down ministerial job under Theresa May as Tory members back him to be new leader

'Heaven knows, next you’ll be offering me the papacy,' added Mr Rees-Mogg

Jacob Rees-Mogg is refusing to be drawn on speculation that he will be the next Tory leader (Getty)

Jacob Rees-Mogg has topped a survey of Conservative party members for the next leader of the party following weeks of speculation regarding his leadership ambitions.

The survey for Conservative Home found that more than 22 per cent of those who responded believed the Old Etonian should be the next leader of the party, while David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, enjoyed the support of 15 per cent of members.

But Mr Rees-Mogg, who became an unexpected favourite over the summer months to replace Theresa May in Downing Street, played down speculation yesterday, insisting interest in him would fade as Parliament resumes after the summer recess.

He also hinted he would turn down a ministerial post if offered one by the Prime Minister in the coming months, after a report in the Times said Downing Street is considering offering the eccentric MP for North East Somerset a role in the Government “to test his suitability for higher office”.

But asked, on the Daily Politics show, whether he was ambitious for a ministerial job, the prominent backbencher replied: “I’m not ambitious to do anything other than to get returned in North East Somerset and to contribute to develop the ideas in the Conservative party.”

“In a way you have a great deal more freedom to discuss issues from the backbenches because I’m not bound by collective responsibility,” he added.

“I don’t have constraints upon me as to what I’m allowed to say or not allowed and that is perhaps an easier position to be in to discuss broad issues rather than ministers who are, quite rightly, confined to their own subject area.”

He also insisted that he was “very happy serving the people of North East Somerset”, adding: “Heaven knows, next you’ll be offering me the papacy.”

Asked whether he was surprised he had become a favourite in the non-existent leadership contest, he continued: “I’m as astonished as you are. It’s all jolly August stuff and now we’re in September I imagine it will calm down.”

Explaining the result of party members, Paul Goodman, the Editor of Conservative Home, said: “In our view, Jacob Rees-Mogg is the beneficiary of party member disillusion with the present senior options for replacing her [Ms May].

“For all his intelligence, wit and fearlessness, this site suspects that Rees-Mogg as leader would be unable to overleap the legend of the nanny and the poshness and the supposed out-of-touchness, and cut through in the marginal seats, especially in the Midlands and the North, that the Tories need to win.” added Mr Goodman.