The majority of the public think Jeremy Corbyn is wrong to refuse to enter Brexit talks with Theresa May unless she rules out leaving the EU without a deal, according to a Sky Data poll.

Just over half - 51% - say Mr Corbyn is wrong not to negotiate with the prime minister with regard to Brexit unless no deal is taken off the table, with 25% saying he is right and 25% unsure.

The Labour leader has written a letter to his MPs urging them not to "engage" with the government until the threat of no deal is removed, with Mrs May responding that the demand is an "impossible condition".

Although Labour voters back Mr Corbyn, they are divided on the issue - with 45% saying he is right, 35% wrong, and 20% saying they don't know.

Neither leader is trusted by the public to deal with Brexit, with both branded incompetent to deal with the situation.


Some 54% thought Mr Corbyn would be incompetent, while 31% said he would be competent. Meanwhile, 50% believe Mrs May is incompetent - with 38% saying she is competent.

Asked to choose which leader they would prefer to deal with Brexit, 37% back the prime minister, with Mr Corbyn on 23% - both lagging behind "don't know" on 40%.

Only half of Labour voters say they prefer the Labour leader over Mrs May on Brexit - 51% preferring Jeremy Corbyn, 15% Theresa May with 34% unsure.

Sky Data interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,792 UK adults online on 17 January 2019. Data are weighted to the profile of the population. Sky Data is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

For full Sky Data tables, click here.