There's also deep hostility among Tory activists to the Government's decision to boost spending on overseas aid to poor countries, despite imposing cuts in most other areas.
If the economy worsens, 68 per cent would cut benefits such as the winter fuel allowance for wealthier pensioners, and also back deeper cuts to the welfare budget.
But 59 per cent of Tories don't want Cameron to abandon his flagship pledge to raise the health budget each year.
A majority want cuts to be faster and deeper. While 41 per cent say Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne's deficit-reduction plan is exactly right, 42 per cent want more spending cuts so taxes can be reduced to boost growth and another 10 per cent want bigger cuts to avoid tax rises.
Of Cabinet ministers, Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, was the most highly rated with 90 per cent satisfaction.
Education Secretary Michael Gove was second, up from seventh in the same poll last year.
Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke, whose liberal sentencing reforms upset the grassroots, slumped from 14th to 24th spot and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley also dropped after a bruising year over National Health Service reforms. Nick Clegg fell from 12th place in the rankings to 19th.
- Independent