Voters ‘back Theresa May's grammar school move if it helps poor pupils’

Theresa May’s grammar school gamble could turn into a clear election winner if she can convince voters they will benefit pupils from poorer backgrounds, a new poll shows.

The BMG Research survey found 39 per cent of adults backed her proposals for new grammars and more selection in other schools.

A total of 23 per cent disagreed with the idea, while 38 per cent said they neither supported nor opposd it.

However, if the question is amended to suggest the reforms will include ensuring more children from poorer backgrounds can go to top-performing schools, support jumps to 48 per cent. Opposition dwindles to 17 per cent, with 36 per cent neutral.

Among students, backing for the shake-up jumps from 29 per cent to 47 per cent once the question is adjusted in this way. For 18 to 24-year-olds, it rises from 31 per cent to just over half of respondents.

England favours the Prime Minister’s proposed reshaping of the school network, with half of adults backing it once the focus on getting pupils from poorer backgrounds into the best schools is highlighted.

This compares to 30 per cent for Scotland, 40 per cent for Wales and 39 per cent for Northern Ireland. Across the country, backing is strongest among Conservative voters (69 per cent), followed by Ukip (61), Liberal Democrats (46) then Labour (34). Michael Turner, of BMG Research, said: “From a tactical perspective these results are interesting.