Budget bets available as Osborne prepares for speech

CHANCELLOR GEORGE Osborne is most likely to deliver the budget speech on Wednesday whilst wearing a purple tie according to Ladbrokes.

The bookies political odds compilers make purple the 2/1 favourite, with a red tie a 12/1 chance. It’s 25/1 he wears an orange tie, with white the 33/1 outsider.

The catchphrase market is always popular and given the likely tone of the speech it’s just 1/50 that the word ‘deficit’ is used. It’s also odds-on (1/5) that ‘budget for growth’ gets mentioned and ‘tough choices’ is an 1/1 shot. ‘Long Run’ is a 6/1 chance in the market with ‘Libya’ and ‘Earthquake’ both topical 3/1 shots.

Coalition partner Vince Cable is also just 8/1 to be caught yawning during the speech with Osborne 20/1 to drop the famous red briefcase.

Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: “We’re hoping Osborne reaches for a brightly coloured tie on Wednesday morning otherwise we’ll have budget problems of our own. We also think that some reference may be made to foreign affairs along with the usual talk of austerity measures.”

Ladbrokes latest betting

What Will He Say?

Exact words or phrases the Chancellor uses in his speech.
Deficit – 1/50
Budget For Growth – 1/5
Economic Stability – 1/5
Frontline Services – 1/2
Tough Choices – Evs
Hard Working Families – 6/4
Climate Change – 2/1
Sound Public Finances – 2/1
Double Dip – 2/1
We’re All In This Together – 2/1
Red Tape – 2/1
Tuition Fees – 5/2
Meltdown – 5/2
Earthquake – 3/1
Libya – 3/1
Humility – 3/1
Rescue Mission – 4/1
Big Society – 4/1
Labour’s Mess – 5/1
Plan B – 6/1
Long Run – 6/1
Socialism – 6/1
Big Bucks – 25/1
Champagne – 33/1

Length of Speech
Under 55 mins – 5/6
Over 55 mins – 5/6

Colour of Chancellor’s Tie
Purple – 2/1
Blue – 3/1
Green – 7/1
Pink – 10/1
Grey – 12/1
Red – 12/1
Yellow – 16/1
Orange – 25/1
Brown – 25/1
Black – 25/1
White – 33/1

Rules: Applies to predominant colour of tie. Dead Heat Rules may apply. Others on Request.

Other specials
Vince Cable to yawn during speech – 8/1
Ken Clarke to fall asleep during speech – 16/1
George Osborne to drop the red briefcase – 20/1
Ed Miliband’s phone to go off during speech – 33/1