The Conservatives are “ripping themselves apart“ in government, according to John McDonnell.

The Shadow Chancellor said it was “extraordinary” to see the divisions within the Tory party exposed as Theresa May struggled to keep her party together in the wake of a disastrous general election result.

Labour's Mr McDonnell was speaking to party activists during a campaigning visit to Broxtowe, Nottinghamshire, where the sitting Tory MP, Anna Soubry, has a majority of just 863.

“We can’t go on like this, we just can’t go on like this, not when we’re facing Brexit, not when we’re facing huge issues with our public services collapsing around our ears,” he said.

“So what we’re trying to do, to be frank, is bring this government to an end as quickly as we possibly can and that means opposing them on a daily basis.

“The Tories themselves are ripping themselves apart. It’s just extraordinary, and from day to day you’re never sure which particular coalition in the Tory party are actually in the ascendency on that particular day.

“So that’s why we’re still on a general election footing, and on that basis, we think if we continue this campaign, we have a real opportunity of getting a Labour government.”

It comes as reports suggest at least 15 Conservatives MPs are ready to sign a letter declaring they have no confidence in Ms May.

While the current number is some way short of the 48 names needed to trigger a Conservative leadership contest, Parliament’s summer recess is likely to be a critical time for the Prime Minister as she attempts to reassert her authority.

“The numbers change from day to day depending on what’s happened but there are about 15 who are fairly consistent in their desire for change,” a former Tory minister told the Sunday Times.

“If she has a quiet summer and there are no crises and things are not mismanaged then she might be able to cling on beyond conference, but that is still a big if."

"The break will either have dissipated some of the resentment towards her for gambling away the party’s majority or the rumblings around her leadership will start to flare up again."

Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Show all 27 1 /27 Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Andrea Leadsom Andrea Leadsom has been appointed Secretary for Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Priti Patel Priti Patel has been appointed International Development Secretary PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Alun Cairns Alun Cairns will stay on as Welsh Secretary Reuters Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Karen Bradley Karen Bradley is now Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Rex Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Greg Clark Greg Clark has been appointed Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? James Brokenshire James Brokenshire has been appointed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Stephen Crabb Stephen Crabb has resigned as Work and Pensions Secretary PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Theresa Villiers Theresa Villiers will not return as Northern Ireland Secretary. She was reportedly offered a role by Theresa May, but turned it down, saying it was not one she felt could take on Getty Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Chris Grayling Chris Grayling has been appointed Transport Secretary PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Damien Green Damien Green has been appointed Work and Pensions Secretary Getty Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Liz Truss Liz Truss has been appointed Justice Secretary Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Patrick McLoughlin Patrick McLoughlin who was Transport Secretary has been appointed Tory Party chairman and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Justine Greening Justine Greening has been appointed as Education Secretary Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Gavin Williamson Gavin Williamson is to become the new Government Chief Whip Reuters Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Jeremy Hunt Jeremy Hunt will continue as Health Secretary Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Nicky Morgan Nicky Morgan lost her job as Education Secretary Reuters Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Michael Gove Michael Gove has been sacked as Justice Secretary Reuters Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? John Whittingdale John Whittingdale left his job as Culture Secretary EPA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Oliver Letwin Oliver Letwin, the Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster, has been sacked from his role in the cabinet PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Philip Hammond The former Foreign Secretary has been made Chancellor EPA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Boris Johnson Leading Brexit campaigner is given the role of Foreign Secretary Getty Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Amber Rudd Leading Remain campaigner takes Theresa May's old job of Home Secretary PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Michael Fallon Stays as Defence Secretary AP Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? Liam Fox The former Defence Secretary is named as head of new Department for International Trade PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? David Davis The former shadow Home Secretary and leadership rival to David Cameron is named Secretary of State for Leaving the European Union - aka Brexit minister PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? George Osborne Gone as Chancellor - and fails to secure any new role in May's government GETTY Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in – and who's out? David Mundell The Conservative Party's only Scottish MP retains his role as Scottish Secretary Getty Images

The Conservatives are also divided on the issue of Brexit, with Chancellor Philip Hammond among those arguing for a softer withdrawal from the EU while the likes of Liam Fox, the Trade Secretary, and Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, have adopted a more hard-line approach.