Nearly two-thirds of the public view Labour as divided following Jeremy Corbyn’s first month as leader, according to a poll result issued yesterday.

Research by ComRes for the Independent on Sunday and Sunday Mirror also gave David Cameron and George Osborne a commanding 19-point advantage over Mr Corbyn and shadow chancellor John McDonnell on economic competence.

The findings come after a difficult week for the fledgling Labour leadership which saw Mr McDonnell perform an embarrassing U-turn after initially suggesting he would support the Government’s new fiscal rules.

Furious MPs branded the change “shambolic”, and 21 abstained from the key Commons vote on Wednesday – gifting the Conservatives a comfortable majority.

Mr Corbyn has also been openly at odds with members of his shadow Cabinet over his opposition to renewing Britain’s Trident nuclear deterrent. The poll found 64 per cent thought the party was divided, with just 16 per cent describing it as united.

Corbyn openly at odds with members of his shadow Cabinet

The Tories, who have been facing their own splits over the looming EU referendum, were regarded as united by 43 per cent and divided by 35 per cent.

Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne were viewed as more trustworthy with the economy by 48 per cent, while 29 per cent opted for Mr Corbyn and Mr McDonnell.

Some 56 per cent believed that Labour would borrow more money than the Conservatives if they were in power. Just under half – 45 per cent – agreed that a Labour government would lead to economic chaos.

The equivalent figure in January 2011, when Ed Miliband was leader, was 42 per cent. However, people generally believed Labour was right to oppose austerity, by a margin of 40 per cent to 32 per cent.

Overall the Conservatives were ahead of Labour on voting intention by 42 per cent to 29 per cent.