Leadership round-up: Money pours in for Theresa May and Tom Watson

The old adage that a week is a long time in politics will probably have to be revisited if the latest betting trends are anything to by. 

In the race to wrestle control of the Conservative and Labour parties just one day could make all the difference, especially if the odds are bang on the money.

With the Tories lining-up a successor to outgoing Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn coming under increasing pressure, we’ve witnessed another frenzied period of political punting.

Under-fire Corbyn is now odds-on at 1/4 to be replaced this year with Tom Watson clear favourite in the Labour contest at 4/1 although Lisa Nandy has also been well-backed.

Meanwhile, in the blue corner Theresa May is the most popular bet for the Tory leadership with her odds slashed from 11/4 to 9/4.

Other candidates have also emerged with Liam Fox now 12s from 25/1 and even beleagured Chancellor George Osborne is now a 20/1 shot having been available at 25/1 earlier today.

Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: “Interest in political betting has showed no sign of slowing down post-referendum and we’re seeing record leadership stakes for both parties. The latest betting suggests we could soon see May and Nandy face off over the despatch box once things have settled down.”

Ladbrokes latest betting:

Next Conservative leader

Boris Johnson – Evens

Theresa May – 9/4

Liam Fox – 12/1

Andrea Leadsom – 16/1

Stephen Crabb – 16/1

George Osborne – 20/1

Jeremy Hunt – 25/1

Michael Gove – 25/1

Nicky Morgan – 33/1

Priti Patel – 33/1

Graham Brady – 33/1

Dominic Raab – 33/1

Jacob Rees-Mogg – 33/1

Next Labour leader

Tom Watson – 4/1

Dan Jarvis – 6/1

Lisa Nandy – 6/1

John McDonnell – 8/1

Hilary Benn – 8/1

David Miliband – 10/1

Angela Eagle – 12/1

Owen Smith – 16/1

Chuka Umunna – 20/1

Keir Starmer – 25/1

Stephen Kinnock – 25/1

Andy Burnham – 25/1

Heidi Alexander – 25/1

Yvette Cooper – 33/1

Alan Johnson – 33/1

Michale Dugher – 33/1

Clive Lewis – 33/1

Sadiq Khan – 33/1

Jonathan Ashworth – 33/1

Jeremy Corbyn replaced this year – 1/4

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.