The odds shorten for Purnell
Fraser Nelson 5:27pmI know many CoffeeHousers will take some time to forgive me for suggesting James Purnell as the best chance for Labour. But I am not alone. A rush of money on him has led Ladbrokes to make him joint second favourite to succeed Brown at 6/1. The curse of being the favourite still falls upon David Miliband at 5/2. Alan Johnson, whom the Tories fear the most, is also on 6/1. Here is the full list.
David Miliband --- 5/2
Alan Johnson --- 6/1
James Purnell --- 6/1
Jack Straw --- 7/1
John Denham --- 7/1
Ed Balls --- 8/1
Jon Cruddas --- 10/1
Andy Burnham --- 16/1
Ed Miliband --- 16/1
Harriet Harman --- 16/1
Yvette Cooper --- 16/1
Douglas Alexander --- 20/1
Hilary Benn --- 20/1
Caroline Flint --- 25/1
Jacqui Smith --- 25/1
John Hutton --- 25/1
John McDonnell --- 25/1
Charles Clarke --- 33/1
Geoff Hoon --- 33/1
Alan Milburn --- 50/1
John Reid --- 50/1
Ruth Kelly --- 50/1
Tessa Jowell --- 50/1
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Austin Barry
May 19th, 2008 6:01pm Report this commentFraser, have you considered that your front cover story shortened the odds? I wouldn't mistake these speculative punters for astute judges of political character and strategies.
John
May 19th, 2008 6:15pm Report this commentThey are offering odds on Tessa Jowell??? Someone has lost the plot.
Water
May 19th, 2008 6:48pm Report this commentThen again the same could be said for the former member of the Communist Party of Great Britain John Reid.
John
May 19th, 2008 9:13pm Report this commentIs that a reply to me, Water? I can't argue with that. I could have mentioned many of them. Only a lunatic would go for Kelly, or Milburn, or Hoon.
Ben Elford
May 19th, 2008 9:31pm Report this commentBut then, the same could be said for every other name on this list.
Except John Denham, perhaps.
salieri
May 19th, 2008 9:33pm Report this commentThey're offering odds on Geoff Who?
Diablo
May 19th, 2008 10:32pm Report this commentWorrying that Balls has crept up but at least John Denham is hovering around too. He's the only one that has any semblance of credibility.
Frank Pulley
May 20th, 2008 12:44am Report this commentIt's not until you read the list of hopefuls to replace the stricken Brown that you realise to what depth this country has descended into the political abyss. Is there one among them who has ever done an honest day's work? To think that the list - a mixture of pseudo intellectual lefties and Trades Union agitators have run this country for a decade by default. Because the punters have been wallowing in a pipedream of prosperity, sleepwalking into a slump and ignoring the noses in the Westminster trough. People of Crewe and Nantwich: I implore you once again - bring this scam to an end. Remember what Nelson's flags read before his last battle and obey the call. "England expects that every man [and woman] will do his [her] duty." You can change the course of history and raise the hopes of the nation.
Alf Tupper
May 20th, 2008 6:16am Report this commentDon't know about best hope.
The ONLY person could get Labour in again would be the Dalai Lama. And he'd have to be at the top of his chant.
Ann
May 20th, 2008 8:07am Report this commentWhat credibility? Surely everyone associated with McPinnochio is tainted.
Ian C
May 20th, 2008 9:57am Report this commentFrank, you're absolutely right. And I am afraid it is the political class as a whole. It is true to say that the Tories have a better squad but a couple of injuries before half-time would leave them exposed. We need to find a better way of getting good people into politics - a start would be no-one under 35 should be allowed to be an MP and they must have wrked for a non-state/charity organisation for at least 5 years.
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