Labour just 11/10 to suffer by-election double trouble

Political punters are banking on Labour suffering a double by-electon blow this month, according to the latest odds.

The bookies now make it just 11/10 that Labour lose out in both Stoke-on-Trent Central and Copeland following a run of bets, with a price for a double victory drifting to 3/1.

UKIP are now odds-on favourites in Stoke at 10/11, after the news that party leader Paul Nuttall will run for the Staffordshire seat.

A UKIP double can be backed at 16/1, but the Conservaties lead the way in Cumbria at 4/7.

Both by-elections are set to take place on February 23.

The Article 50 vote has also triggered a long-odds gamble in the next Labour leader market.

Salford and Eccles MP Rebecca Long-Bailey’s odds have been cut into 33/1 from 66s, after being tipped for the role.

Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: “Political punters think it could be double defeat for Labour in the upcoming round of by-elections.

“Should they lose both, Corbyn’s resignation odds should shorten in theory, and party watchers have identified Long-Bailey as a surprise candidate to replace him.”

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Ladbrokes latest betting

 Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election

UKIP – 10/11

Labour – Evens

Conservatives -25/1

Lib Dems – 33/1

Copeland by-election

Conservatives – 4/7

Labour – 7/4

UKIP – 10/1

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Labour win both – 3/1

Labour lose both – 11/10

UKIP win both – 16/1

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